Atypical Pediatric Epilepsy: A Narrative Review of Classification, Diagnosis, and Emerging Therapeutics.
- 1Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University College of Medicine, Sarasota, USA.
- 2Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University College of Medicine, Orlando, USA.
Abstract
Atypical pediatric epilepsies represent a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by uncommon etiologies, variable clinical presentations, and frequent resistance to standard antiseizure medications. Recent advances in classification, along with developments in genomics, neuroimaging, and autoimmune neurology, have expanded the recognized spectrum of these conditions. However, a significant proportion of children remain without a definitive syndromic diagnosis, underscoring ongoing limitations in current frameworks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of atypical epilepsy in children, including evolving classification systems, epidemiology, and etiological mechanisms spanning genetic, structural, metabolic, and immune-mediated causes. Key syndromes - including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, and febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome - are discussed with emphasis on clinical features, differential diagnosis, and prognosis. Diagnostic challenges such as phenotypic overlap, EEG limitations, and barriers to timely genetic testing are also examined. Emerging therapeutic strategies highlight a paradigm shift from broad-spectrum seizure control toward precision medicine, including targeted pharmacologic agents, antisense oligonucleotides, gene therapies, and neuromodulation approaches. Improved recognition and classification of atypical epilepsies, coupled with early implementation of targeted therapies, are essential to optimize outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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BibTeX
@article{iglesias2026atypical,
title = {{Atypical Pediatric Epilepsy: A Narrative Review of Classification, Diagnosis, and Emerging Therapeutics.}},
author = {Migdalia Iglesias and Kevin Sherin},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117344},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968794},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Atypical Pediatric Epilepsy: A Narrative Review of Classification, Diagnosis, and Emerging Therapeutics.
AU - Migdalia Iglesias
AU - Kevin Sherin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/02
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117344
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968794
AB - Atypical pediatric epilepsies represent a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by uncommon etiologies, variable clinical presentations, and frequent resistance to standard antiseizure medications. Recent advances in classification, along with developments in genomics, neuroimaging, and autoimmune neurology, have expanded the recognized spectrum of these conditions. However, a significant proportion of children remain without a definitive syndromic diagnosis, underscoring ongoing limitations in current frameworks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of atypical epilepsy in children, including evolving classification systems, epidemiology, and etiological mechanisms spanning genetic, structural, metabolic, and immune-mediated causes. Key syndromes - including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, and febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome - are discussed with emphasis on clinical features, differential diagnosis, and prognosis. Diagnostic challenges such as phenotypic overlap, EEG limitations, and barriers to timely genetic testing are also examined. Emerging therapeutic strategies highlight a paradigm shift from broad-spectrum seizure control toward precision medicine, including targeted pharmacologic agents, antisense oligonucleotides, gene therapies, and neuromodulation approaches. Improved recognition and classification of atypical epilepsies, coupled with early implementation of targeted therapies, are essential to optimize outcomes in this vulnerable population.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -