Journal of child neurology
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Metabolic disorders constitute an important cause of neurologic disease, including infantile epilepsy. The inability to characterize seizures and epilepsy syndromes precisely in infants impedes the recognition of features suggestive of specific underlying metabolic and neurodegenerative etiologies. Classification systems using simple descriptions of ictal behaviors can be reliably applied and may aid in the recognition of these disorders. ⋯ Occasionally, there are distinctive electroencephalographic patterns that may suggest a specific metabolic disease. Earlier recognition of metabolic disorders may be accomplished by careful study of clinical and electrographic characteristics. There are important treatment considerations associated with these disorders.