[Epilepsy with prolonged epileptiform activity during sleep in children and adolescents].

Benign epileptic discharges of childhood (BEDC) are typical age-related EEG patterns associated with idiopathic benign focal epilepsy (BFE). The study of BFE revealed the symptomatic phenocopies in patients with structural brain lesions in infantile cerebral paralysis and malformations. The authors discuss the question of "benignity" of BEDC that may lead to various disturbances of cognitive functions and behavior, i.e. to signs of epileptic encephalopathy. Based on the examination of 1862 children, including 840 patients with epileptic seizures and 1022 neurologic patients, clinical and neurophysiological features of epileptic syndromes associated with prolonged epileptiform EEG activity in children were found. The most rational antiepileptic therapy was determined.