Overview
Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep is a rare type of epilepsy that begins in infancy or early childhood. It is sometimes referred to as benign infantile seizures with midline spikes and waves during sleep. This condition is characterized by focal seizures, which means the abnormal electrical activity in the brain starts in one specific area. A distinctive feature of this epilepsy is the pattern seen on an EEG (brain wave test) during sleep, where spikes and waves appear along the midline of the brain. Children with this condition typically develop normally before and after the onset of seizures. The seizures usually begin between the ages of 3 months and 2 years. Episodes may involve staring, head turning, limb jerking on one side of the body, or brief pauses in activity. Some children may also experience secondary generalization, where the seizure spreads to involve the whole body. The word 'benign' in the name reflects the generally favorable outcome. Most children respond well to standard anti-seizure medications, and many outgrow the seizures entirely by early to mid-childhood. Cognitive development and neurological function typically remain normal. Treatment usually involves anti-epileptic drugs to control seizures during the active phase of the condition, and medication can often be gradually withdrawn once the child has been seizure-free for a period of time.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Focal seizures (seizures starting in one part of the brain)Head turning to one side during a seizureJerking movements on one side of the bodyStaring spells or brief pauses in activityAbnormal brain wave patterns during sleepOccasional whole-body seizuresBrief episodes of unresponsivenessEye deviation to one side during a seizureFlushing or color changes during a seizureClusters of seizures occurring over a short period
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Infantile
Begins in infancy, roughly 1 month to 2 years old
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How certain are you that this is a benign form of epilepsy, and what tests confirm this?,Which anti-seizure medication do you recommend, and what are the possible side effects?,How often will my child need EEG monitoring or follow-up visits?,At what point can we consider tapering off the medication?,Should my child have genetic testing, and what would the results mean for our family?,What should I do if my child has a seizure at home — when should I call an ambulance?,Will this condition affect my child's development or ability to attend school normally?
Common questions about Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep
What is Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep?
Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep is a rare type of epilepsy that begins in infancy or early childhood. It is sometimes referred to as benign infantile seizures with midline spikes and waves during sleep. This condition is characterized by focal seizures, which means the abnormal electrical activity in the brain starts in one specific area. A distinctive feature of this epilepsy is the pattern seen on an EEG (brain wave test) during sleep, where spikes and waves appear along the midline of the brain. Children with this condition typically develop norma
At what age does Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep typically begin?
Typical onset of Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep is infantile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.