Benign familial neonatal epilepsy

Abstract

Benign familial neonatal epilepsy (BFNE), previously benign familial neonatal seizures, is a relatively rare epilepsy syndrome arising in newborns. The genetic basis for this syndrome has recently been defined. This review uses a case to illustrate the challenges in the clinical approach to diagnosis in neonatal epilepsy, and gives the clinician a summary of the genetic basis for BFNE. Finally, an overview of counseling and clinical treatment of BFNE is discussed.

Keywords

Newborn infant - neonate - seizures - benign neonatal epilepsy - benign familial neonatal seizures - KCNQ potassium channels