electro-encephalic approach to the etiological background of hyperkinetic syndrome in children

ABSTRACT

52 children of both sexes, diagnosed as "Hyperkinetic Syndrome", and a control group of 20 normal children of the same age and sex were randomly selected from pediatric out-patient clinic. Hyperkinetic children were regrouped according to EEG findings: those who showed no abnormalities in EEG, group A [55.8%], and those who express various forms of abnormalities, group B [44.2%]. Only 18 control children, those with no abnormalities in EEG, represented group C. In group A, we observed over-representation of psychiatric ogenic stress factors in 62.1%, and neurotic disturbances in early childhood [55.2%]. There was a wealth of psychiatric history in the family, especially sociopathy, hyperkinesis and addiction. In group B, we observed over-representation of pathological delivery [34.8%], pathological pregnancy [26.1%] and prematurity. There were associated epileptic disorders in 43.8% and minor physical abnormalities in 30.4%. Soft sign examination revealed positive findings in 74.8% of cases. These findings suggest that hyperkinetic syndrome may be reclassified into distinct psychogenic and organic subcategories