Evalue of Sleep-Deprivation Electroencephalography in Diagnosis of Partial Seizures in Children

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of sleep-deprivation electroencephalography(EEG) examination in diagnosis of partial seizures of children.Methods One hundred and six normal children (male 57,female 49, 3-12 years old)and 102 children suspected of epilepsy but with normal in standard EEG examination were selected at random(male 63,female 39,3-12 years old). Sleep-deprivation EEG was performed individually.Periods of sleep-deprivation were 18-20 hours for children below 7 years old and 24 hours for the older ones.Results The EEG showed slowing of background electric activity. In addition, 57 cases showed spindle/sharp-slow wave complex.The rate of EEG abnormality was 55.88%.The rates of EEG abnormality for partial seizures and generalized seizure were 76.32% and 43.8%,respectively(χ~2=8.98 P0.01),while suspected of epilepsy group and normal control group(χ~2=71.95 P0.01).Conclusion Sleep-deprivation EEG is more sensitive than standard EEG,while partial seizures is more sensitive than generalized seizure in showing abnormal electric activity,and it has practical value.