[Acquired aphasia with electroencephalographic manifestation in children (author's transl)].

Abstract

The paper presents the case of a 5 year old boy with the syndrome of gradually developing aphasia, primarily receptive, associated with electroencephalographic abnormalities and behavioral problems. The aphasia developed over a period of 1 1/2 years and was primarily concerned with receptive language. At its peak there was a complete loss of language which coincided with almost continuous spike-wave discharges in EEG as did behavioral problems (hyperactivity and aggressiveness). No seizures occured. With anticonvulsive medication the abnormal EEG-activity diappeared within a 3 week period. Language improvement only began slowly 2 months later. Complete restitution of language was attained 1 year after the total loss of language. As the language improved, the behavior normalized. Various specialist were engaged in the diagnosis of the case and their procedures are described. The cause of this syndrome remains unknown. Similar cases (often with convulsive disorder) reported in literature are discussed and presented in a table.