Abstract
We have studied 45 patients having syncopal attacks with loss of consciousness, abnormal EEG, episodes of transient paleness, cyanosis, headache, nausea and sleep after the attack. These patients were from 6 months to eleven years of age. Fifty-six per cent of the patients developed the symptoms by 5 years of age. The history of convulsive disorders was proved in 23%, and the possible causes of seizures such as perinatal abnormalities were recognized in 42%.
The interictal EEGs were abnormal in all patients, showing dysrhythmia or asymmetry (67%), and generalized spike and wave complexes or spikes (96%) which were precipitated by hyper-ventilation in a third of the patients.
The attacks were controlled in 77% of patients by administration of antiepileptic drugs such as phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin.
The form of attacks and abnormal EEG suggest that this disorder is epileptic and is caused by the subcortical disturbance, especially of the reticular formation system of the brainstem.
