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Epileptic Negative Myoclonus in a Newborn with Hemimegalencephaly
Author(s) -
Guzzetta Francesco,
Battaglia Domenica,
Lettori Donatella,
Deodato Federica,
Sani Emanuela,
Randò Teresa,
Ricci Daniela,
Acquafondata Celeste,
Faienza Carmine
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2002.15001.x
Subject(s) - hemimegalencephaly , myoclonus , electroencephalography , tonic (physiology) , epilepsy , psychology , anesthesia , ictal , medicine , neuroscience , cortical dysplasia
Summary: Purpose: We report the case of a male newborn with Ohtahara syndrome and right hemimegalencephaly who presented epileptic negative myoclonus in the first days of life. Methods: Prolonged polygraphic studies were performed, as well as MRI and a full clinical examination. Results: EEG showed a constant and nonreactive pattern of burst suppression. There were several kinds of electro‐clinical seizures (generalized myoclonia, short atonias, typical spasm and tonic spasms) at the beginning of the EEG's burst. The periods of EMG silence, lasting less than 300 ms, were associated with stereotyped EEG transients. Conclusions: Epileptic negative myoclonus can be observed also in neonatal age. The short transient impairment of motor function observed in the newborn seems linked to the slow component of spike‐wave discharge, but its mechanism is still not clear.