[Evaluation of EEG after long-lasting focal febrile seizures during childhood: prospective study until adulthood].

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study was to present differences in EEG in complicated (prolonged and/or focal) febrile seizures (FS) in relation to simple fs in the study conducted until adulthood. METHOD: Material consisted EEG recordines: 1) 7-10 days after the seizures 2) in the age 3-5 years, 3) 8-12 years and 4) more than 17 years old. RESULTS: The percentage of normal EEG after complicated FS increased with age: 30%, 42%, 59%, 70%, respectively. In each children group the number of normal EEG was significantly lower (p < 0.01), similarly in adults (p < 0.05). Focal changes (slow waves, sharp, spikes) were observed in 36-39% of the group during childhood (p < 0.01) but only in 23% in adults (ns). The number of paroxysmal changes was highest at the age of 5, but did not differ with simple FS in any studied group. Normal EEG after the seizure correlated positively with normal eeg in adults. CONCLUSIONS: In some patients after complicated (focal, prolonged) FS abnormal EEG may be found from childhood to adulthood. Focal changes, which probably indicate preexisting pathology disappear in the majority before the 17th year of age.