Complex partial status epilepticus in young children.

Complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) has rarely been described in children. We have recently studied four girls, aged 1 to 4 years, who presented with CPSE. Their seizures were characterized by decreased level of consciousness, lack of response to familiar persons, diminished response to pain, starting, slow visual tracking, eye deviation, picking at nearby objects, and lip smacking. Three patients developed focal clonic activity during their seizures and one progressed to a generalized motor seizure after 4 hours of CPSE. Two patients had ictal electroencephalograms demonstrating temporooccipital polyspikes and slow waves.