FEBRILE SEIZURES - IS THE EEG A USEFUL PREDICTOR OF RECURRENCES

We examined the predictive value of a paroxysmal EEG in children with febrile seizures seen at the University Pediatric Clinic, Skopje, Mace donia, between 1982 and 1984. This was the only facility providing EEG or neurologic consultation for children in Macedonia, and almost all children in the area who experienced a febrile seizure were referred t o this facility. EEGs were classified as epileptiform if they containe d spikes and sharp waves or spike wave complexes, which were either fo cal or generalized, and were considered abnormal for age and state, No nspecifically abnormal was defined as focal or generalized slowing exc essive for age and state, Follow-up visits were scheduled at 6-month i ntervals; mean follow-up time was approximately 23 months, In order to determine whether clearly abnormal EEG features would predict recurre nces, we compared the recurrences in 170 children with inital normal-a ppearing EEGs with 99 children with initial paroxysmal EEGs, There was no significant difference in risk of recurrence of febrile seizures b etween the two groups; increase in recurrence risk was determined prim arily by younger age, The EEG did not add information regarding the li kelihood of recurrence of febrile seizures.