[Results of long-lasting drug intake on child development; clinical and electrophysiological study during drug withdrawal].

The case of a child under continuous anticonvulsant medication, especially barbiturate, since the age of 8 months for atypical seizures is reported. Medication was withdrawn when the child was 7.7 years old. The child was then under care in a Day Hospital with an autistic-like syndrome associated with important disturbances of sleep-waking regulation, complete learning incapability and major EEG abnormalities. The EEG paroxysmal discharges observed in the waking and all-night sleep records gradually decreased and then disappeared as the withdrawal was pursued over a period of several months. During the same period, the child's behaviour markedly improved and his sleep disturbances disappeared. The possibility of iatrogenic effects of early and continuous anti-convulsant therapies is discussed, even though the drug plasma levels remain within ranges generally considered as non-toxic.