Clinical and anamnestic features of speech function in children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome

Background: Speech disorders are a common and clinically signifi cant consequence of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, but their nature and relationship to the history and clinical characteristics of the disease remain poorly understood. Research into the clinical and history features of speech dysfunction is essential for developing early prognosis criteria and targeted neurorehabilitation programs for this patient population.

Aim: To study the clinical and history features and the structure of speech disorders in children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.

Methods: The prospective study included 44 children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (28 boys, 16 girls) observed from 2018 to 2022. A comprehensive history collection, as well as clinical, neurological, and instrumental examination were performed, including a speech function assessment, electroencephalography (routine and video-EEG monitoring), and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and Jamovi 2.3.21.

Results: The average age of the examined patients was 15.0±4.4 months. The average age of seizure onset was 5.01±4.13 months. A complicated perinatal period was identifi ed in the majority of patients: 86.4% during pregnancy, 72.7% during childbirth, and 68.2% during the neonatal period. Speech impairments were observed in all children, the most common of which were impaired phonemic perception (93.2%) and articulatory apraxia (88.6%). According to MRI data, structural brain changes were detected in 93.2% of the patients, the most common of which were: decreased white matter volume (36.4%) and ventricular dilation (54.5%). Delayed psychomotor development was diagnosed in 29.5% of children.

Conclusion: The study results demonstrate a high frequency and polymorphism of speech disorders in children with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, closely associated with organic brain damage and a complicated perinatal history. The obtained data confi rm the need for an early multidisciplinary approach with the mandatory inclusion of speech therapy and neuropsychological examination already at the stage of diagnosis of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome for the timely initiation of comprehensive rehabilitation and improvement of long-term socially adaptive outcomes.

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