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The 2022 International League Against Epilepsy Classification and Definition of Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes: An Update for Pediatricians

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Abstract

The 2017 classification of the epilepsies of International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) defined three diagnostic levels, including seizure type, epilepsy type and epilepsy syndrome. Epilepsy syndromes have been recognized as distinct electroclinical entities well before the first ILAE classification of Epilepsies and Epilepsy Syndromes in 1985. A formally accepted classification of epilepsy syndromes was not available, and hence, the 2017–2021 Nosology and Definitions Task Force of ILAE was formulated. The ILAE position papers were published in 2022, which classified epilepsy syndromes into (1) syndromes with onset in neonates and infants (up to 2 years of age), (2) syndromes with onset in childhood, (3) syndromes that may begin at a variable age and (4) idiopathic generalized epilepsies. This classification recognized the concept of etiology-specific syndrome. These papers have addressed the specific clinical and laboratory features of epilepsy syndromes and specify the rationale for any significant changes in terminology or definition. This paper will review some pertinent changes and essential points relevant to pediatricians.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ranjith Kumar Manokaran

  2. Professor Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated, Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Suvasini Sharma

  3. Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Neurologist-McMaster Children’s Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    Rajesh Ramachandrannair

Authors
  1. Ranjith Kumar Manokaran
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  2. Suvasini Sharma
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  3. Rajesh Ramachandrannair
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Contributions

Contributors: SS: Conceptualized the manuscript, critical inputs; RM:Initial draft; RR: critical inputs. All authors helped to revise the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suvasini Sharma.

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Competing interests: None stated.

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Manokaran, R.K., Sharma, S. & Ramachandrannair, R. The 2022 International League Against Epilepsy Classification and Definition of Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes: An Update for Pediatricians. Indian Pediatr 61, 179–183 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-024-3115-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-024-3115-2

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