Introduction and objectives: Congenital cardiopathies (CC) are among the most common birth defects. Delays of neurodevelopment are among the most frequently observed diseases in school-age children presenting CC. The main objective of this study was to determine the possible impact of severe CC on central nervous system (CNS) development as determined after EEG recording.
Methods: Thirty children of ages between 15 days and 12 years presenting severe CC with hemodynamic consequences and/or chronic hypoxia were studied (21 acyanogenic and 19 cyanogenic). Conventional EEGs were performed on all cases.
Results: In the whole sample we found abnormal EEGs in 43.3% of cases, these mostly showing immature basal activity (slow for the age), and focal and multifocal paroxysmal activity characterised by sharp waves and spikes/slow waves complexes. Abnormal EEG activity was determined in 42.8% of non-cyanogenic CC and 44.4% of cyanogenic CC.
Conclusions: A high percentage of children carrying severe CC showed epiletiform EEG activity. It is possible that in afflicted children resulting from haemodynamic disturbances present from foetal stages onwards, these would favour the development of ectopic growth of grey matter leading to epileptiform activity.
