Neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonatal non-epileptic paroxysmal events: a prospective study

Aim: To report on psychomotor development and outcomes in term born neonates with non-epileptic paroxysmal events (NEPEs). Method: From October 2017 to March 2019 we enrolled 38 consecutive term born neonates (22 males, 16 females; aged between 0–28d), born at the University Hospital San Marco in Catania, Italy, with NEPEs. We performed the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination scale (at enrolment), the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) scale (at age 3, 6, 9, and 12mo), and the Griffiths scale (at age 12mo). Results: The age at onset of first paroxysmal manifestations ranged from birth to 4 days. We recorded a suboptimal global score in 18 out of 38 patients at enrolment and in 10 out of 38 patients at age 3 months (>70% of these infants were male); all events disappeared within 6 months of life. At age 6, 9, and 12 months, all infants scored within normal values on the HINE and Griffiths scale. Interpretation: Patients with NEPEs achieve neurodevelopment optimal scores within their first year of life. What this paper adds: Neonates experiencing non-epileptic paroxysmal events (NEPEs) can be examined with the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination, Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, and Griffiths scale at follow-up. Newborn infants with NEPEs achieve optimal scores within the first year of life.