EEG Characteristics in COVID-19 Survivors and Non-survivors With Seizures and Encephalopathy

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to report EEG findings in both COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors who underwent EEG either due to seizure or encephalopathy. Out of total 1468 COVID-19-positive patients, 19 patients underwent EEG. Eight out of 19 patients had a history of seizure disorder and in the remaining 11 with no prior history of seizures, four had a clinical seizure during their hospital stay. Only one had new-onset complex focal status epilepticus on EEG. Amongst the survivors (13/19), the most common EEG findings were normal followed by mild diffuse slowing. Amongst the non-survivors (6/19), the most common EEG finding was moderate to severe slowing in 50% of the patients. It can be deduced that COVID-19 infection does not increase the propensity of epileptiform discharges on EEG. There is perhaps a trend towards increased risk of new-onset status epilepticus in patients with encephalopathy and focal lesions.