What electroencephalogram hides. Case report.

Abstract

Background: 10-14% of children under six years have language delay, making it a frequent reason for consultation in Primary Care. The differential diagnosis is broad and should include epilepsy. Case report: 3-year-old patient referred to neuropediatric due to a significant maturational delay with marked language impairment. The mother denied the presence of seizures and absence of hearing loss. The neurological examination was normal, except for a few spontaneous speeches. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was performed with sleep deprivation, where generalized discharges of wave-point complexes were shown at three cycles per second, coinciding with episodes of disconnection from the environment, staring, and, on some occasions, oral automatisms. Given these findings, treatment with valproic acid was instituted, with the subsequent disappearance of the elements of epileptiform nature and good evolution in ​​language. Conclusions: language delay can be a challenge for the pediatrician due to the broad differential diagnosis, always having to rule out childhood absence epilepsy. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment avoid the onset of a crisis and improve the evolution of these patients.