ILAE Updates to Classification
Greetings fellow squiggle readers,
We’ve been wondering now for about 10 months, when our Predict Medical Seizure Classification tool will be back in action. It has been down due to ILAE Seizure Classification Updates. So what are these illustrious classification updates that prevent us from practicing our seizure classifications? You can read the whole publication here: Updated classification of epileptic seizures: position paper of the ILAE. You could listen to the podcast by Dr. Beniczky (fantastic listen and in multiple parts!) You can just read the practical guide to the updated seizure classification (Thank you Dr Beniczky!!) Or the summary below.
The word onset has been removed from the four main seizure classes. This was done because the new classification preference is to detail all observable and non-observable symptoms/signs in the order they present. (Don’t worry, we’ll get into the oberservable and non-observable in a minute.)
The terms descriptors and classifers are well defined. Classifiers are BIOLOGICAL classes that directly impact clinical management. Descriptors are specific features of a seizure type.
The word awareness has been replaced by consciousness because consciuosness means both aware and responsive.
Motor versus non-motor is changed to observable manifestations vs non-observable manifestations.
Seizures are described by the chronological sequence of all observable manifestations and non-observable manifestations.
Epileptic negative myoclonus is now a recognized seizure type.
Classifications for neonates has not changed since 2021. You can read that paper here —> Classification of seizures and epilepsies in the neonate.