Language regression as a manifestation of epilepsy

• Autor(a) principal: Ferreira,Joana
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Lopes,Sofia, Lopes,João Carmona, Ferreira,Cristina, Magalhães,Catarina
• Tipo de documento: Relatório
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://scielo.pt/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0872-07542021000200099
• topic: cognition; epilepsy; epileptic syndromes; Landau-Kleffner syndrome

Abstract Introduction: Childhood epileptic encephalopathies are age-dependent brain disorders in which ictal and interictal epileptogenic activity is the apparent cause of progressive cognitive and neuro-psychological impairment. Case report: A previously healthy four-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department with a history of receptive and expressive language regression with four days of evolution, associated with seizure onset. Clinical features and electroencephalographic findings led to diagnosis of Landau-Kleffner syndrome. The boy was treated with valproate, clobazam, and prednisolone, with language improvement. Discussion/Conclusion: Landau-Kleffner syndrome is a rare epileptic encephalopathy with pathognomonic sudden aphasia, epilepsy, and paroxysmal electroencephalographic abnormalities. The condition should be suspected in children with normal development who show a deterioration of established language skills. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to improve outcome.