Generalized quasiperiodic epileptiform activity in sleep is associated with cognitive impairment in children with drug‐resistant focal lesional epilepsy

Objective To evaluate the impact of generalized quasiperiodic epileptiform discharges (“hurdles”) observed in non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep on cognitive function in children with intractable focal epilepsy. “Hurdles” pattern does not meet the criteria of the electrical status epilepticus in slow‐wave sleep (ESES). Methods In a retrospective analysis, 24 patients with “hurdles” and their 24 peers matched for demographic and epilepsy‐related variables were compared in terms of neuropsychological domains and electroencephalography (EEG)–derived quantifiers. Both “hurdles” and controls were children between 2 and 19 years of age who had intractable focal epilepsy evaluated as candidates of resective epilepsy surgery. Results Full‐scale intelligence quotient/developmental quotient (FSIQ/DQ) (P = .002) and visuoconstructional skills (P = .004) were significantly lower in children with “hurdles” compared to controls. Patients with “hurdles” presented with higher interictal spike indexes in sleep (P