Short-form Article

Classifying Childhood-Onset Epilepsy Syndromes

The ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions updates their 2017 guidelines for the classification of epilepsy syndromes that present in childhood

Background

The ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions updates their 2017 guidelines for the classification of epilepsy syndromes that present in childhood

What this study addresses

The position paper, apart from standardising the nomenclature of childhood-onset epilepsy syndromes, specifies the clinical presentation, epidemiology, and diagnostic criteria (including EEG and imaging) of each syndrome, including the minimum criteria required for diagnosis in areas with a lack of resources.

Main findings

Childhood-onset epilepsy is classified into three wide groups: self-limited focal epilepsies (SeLFEs), genetic generalised epilepsies (GGEs), and developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs and/or EEs). These differ in terms of their epidemiology, clinical presentation, prognosis, and EEG and MRI features, and thus, treatment approach as well. The other pertinent changes suggested by this position paper are:

1. Incorporating transparent, clinically descriptive terms instead of eponymous nomenclatures, and updation of nomenclatures based on new information
2. Inclusion of certain syndromes that present with encephalopathies and epileptiform activity

Key takeaway

The updated classification could aid in identification and management of, predict the prognosis of, and achieve improved disease outcomes for epilepsy syndromes that present in childhood.