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The Landau-Kleffner syndrome: A review

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Abstract

The Landau-Kleffner syndrome or the syndrome of acquired epileptic aphasia was first described in 1957. The disorder is characterised by gradual or rapid loss of language in a previously normal child. All children have abnormal EEG compatible with the diagnosis of epilepsy, however, only 70% have clinical seizures. The present article presents a review of the current knowledge concerning this disorder. Information is provided related to the clinical picture, etiology, pathogenesis, treatment and outcome.

Résumé

Le syndrome Landau-Kleffner, ou bien le syndrome de l'aphasie épileptique acquise, a été découvert en 1957. Ce dysfonctionnement se charactérise par la perte graduelle ou rapide du langage chez un enfant jusque là normal. Tous les enfants présentent des électro-encéphalogrammes anormaux correspondant à des critères diagnostiques de l'épilepsie, mais 70% d'entre eux seulement ont des attaques cliniques. Cet article présente un survol des connaissances actuelles relatives à ce dysfonctionnement, et se propose de donner des informations quant à son aspect clinique, son étiologie, sa pathogénie, son traitement ainsi que son issue.

Zusammenfassung

Das Landau-Kleffner-Syndrom oder das Syndrom der erworbenen epileptischen Aphasie wurde erstmals 1957 beschrieben. Die Störung ist charakterisiert durch den allmählichen oder raschen Verlust der Sprache eines zuvor normal entwickelten Kindes. Alle Kinder haben abnorme EEG-Befunde, die mit der Diagnose einer Epilepsie vereinbar sind. Jedoch haben lediglich 70% der Betroffenen klinisch apparente Krampfanfälle. Der vorliegende Artikel faßt den gegenwärtigen Wissensstand zu dieser Störung zusammen. Es werden Informationen zum klinischen Bild, zur Ätiologie, Pathogenese, Behandlung und Verlauf vermittelt.

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  1. Department of Child Psychiatry, Bispebjerg Hospital, DK-2400, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Svend Erik Mouridsen

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Mouridsen, S.E. The Landau-Kleffner syndrome: A review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 4, 223–228 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01980486

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