Absence epilepsy in children: the role of EEG in monitoring response to treatment

We report the use of repeat electroencephalography (EEG) in the management of 69 patients with childhood-onset absence epilepsy (CAE). Electro-clinical absences were demonstrated in seven children who were felt clinically to have persisting absences. In three of the remaining 62 patients who were thought to be seizure-free, repeat EEG showed electro-clinical absences; revision of AEDs in these three children resulted in clinical and EEG control. EEG is a useful adjunct to the (usual) subjective monitoring of the response to treatment, and should be repeated routinely in all patients with CAE.