Epileptiform activities in the EEG of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract EN

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by heightened impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity.

One of changes in EEG of ADHD children is epileptiform activity (EA), characterized by recording of excessive neuronal discharge.

Objectives: identifying encephalographic epileptiform activity in (ADHD) children and its relation to types of ADHD.

Methodology: All ADHD cases from the Centre of special need children in the year of 2015 were examined (4 days / week), 50 cases were enrolled and EEG epileptiform abnormalities were recorded.

Ethical aspects: Approval from the ethical committee of the Faculty of childhood postgraduate studies, Ain Shams University.

Limitations: refusal of the caregiver to perform the EEG.

Results: A total of 4 cases (8%) presented with generalized epileptiform activities and 23 (46%) presented with focal epileptiform activities.

There was a statistical significant correlation between type of epileptiform activity and ADHD severity (r=-0.467) (p=0.014).

There was a statistical significant difference between age groups and background abnormalities where (75.9% of >7group) compared to (28.6% of < or = 7 group) had abnormal background (χ2=12.052, p=0.002), ADHD severity and generalized epileptiform activity (χ2 = 8.269, p=0.016), where 40% of mild, compared to (10% moderate and 2.9% of the marked) type of ADHD cases had generalized activity.

And a highly statistical significant difference between speech problems and ADHD severity (χ2 = 19.179, p=0.004), where all reversal group was of moderate, and (75%) of delayed group was of the marked type.

Conclusion: Epileptiform activities were detected in ADHD children with the focal (46%) and generalized (8%) type with the marked combined type mostly presented in the focal group.

Recommendations: Further studies for focusing on treatment of epileptiform activity and its control of symptoms.

Future Detection of seizures, especially those on stimulants.