Two patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

We report 2 girls, aged 10 and 13 years, with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) who had episodes of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Symptoms included only mild lethargy, slow responses, and trembling of the eyelids. There was no ataxia or myoclonus of the limbs or body, and they were always able to respond. Electroencephalograms during these episodes showed almost continuous generalized polyspike-waves in both patients. Patients with JME can develop NCSE, which may be overlooked because of the subtle clinical symptoms.