Paroxysmal nonepileptic events in children and adolescents admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit: A retrospective study

Abstract

Several patients are referred to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) to evaluate episodic events that can be challenging to differentiate from epileptic events. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of non-epileptic events (NEEs) among children and adolescents admitted to the EMU, and the clinical and demographic features of such events. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients aged 18 years and below who were admitted to the EMU of King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, KSA, from January 2014 to March 2020. Results: The prevalence of NEEs in children & adolescents admitted to the EMU was 25%. Psychogenic events (PNESs, 30%) were the most common type. Movement disorders occurred more often in younger age group, while migraine was seen more often in school-aged children. Conclusion: The prevalence of NEEs was 25%, and this result is similar to that reported in the literature. The distribution of events is mainly based on age. Clinical and video-based assessments are essential in identifying such events to prevent unnecessary treatment with anti-seizure medications.

Keywords

• Non-epileptic events
• Epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU)
• Video EEG
• Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
• Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
• Pseudo-seizure