Nocturnal acute laryngospasm in children: a possible epileptic phenomenon

Respiratory difficulties are not uncommon during epileptic activity in all age groups. Laryngospasm, as an isolated manifestation of epileptic disorder, is a rare phenomenon described previously in only two patients. We report our experience with five children in whom nocturnal laryngospasm was the only clinical manifestation of their epileptic disorder. All children underwent extensive workup and the diagnosis was made by sleep-deprived electroencephalography (two cases) and sleep study (three cases). All patients were treated with carbamezapine with prompt resolution of their laryngospasm.