RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epileptiform discharges and sleep structure in children with nocturnal epilepsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 54 children with nocturnal epilepsy (NE group) between December 2009 and June 2011 were enrolled in this study using a cluster sampling method. Their epileptiform discharges and sleep structure were monitored using nocturnal 12 h-video-echoencephalography (EEG) and polysomnography. Meanwhile, 40 age- and gender-matched normal children were enrolled as the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 54 children in the NE group suffered from epileptiform discharges and a varied number of clinical seizures, especially at S1 and S2 states. Compared with the control group, S1 and S2 states had significantly higher proportions in the NE group, and S3 and S4 states and REM state had significantly lower proportions (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Epileptiform discharges and clinical seizures are more common in children with nocturnal epilepsy, especially during the non-rapid eye movement sleep. Meanwhile, remarkably disordered sleep structure also exists.</p>