C.3 Childhood Absence Epilepsy: Prevalence of neuropsychiatric comorbidities and predictors of treatment resistance

Background: Seizures in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) are typically easily controlled with anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Factors predictive of treatment resistance remain unclear. Our objectives were to assess prevalence neuropsychiatric problems and factors influencing a cohort CAE at single centre. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed between January 1999 December 2016 least 1-year follow-up. Treatment was defined as failure respond two appropriate ASMs. Exclusion criteria included eyelid myoclonia absence, myoclonic generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures prior seizures. Results: The study population comprised 164 (65 males) mean age onset 6.1years. 21% had treatment-resistant first ASM Ethosuximide (63.4%), Valproic acid (23.2%), Lamotrigine (6.7%). 32.9% children learning disabilities, 28.7% ADHD, 12.8 % anxiety. A stepwise binary logistic regression analysis identified GTC seizures, disability (LD) ongoing general spike wave on EEG predictors resistance. At last follow-up (average 5.4 years), 43.3% seizure-free off Conclusions: LD, normalization the associated