Acquired Auditory Verbal Agnosia and Seizures in Childhood

Abstract

The syndome of acquired aphasia with associated seizures in children has been known since the first report in 1957. Since then, 42 cases have been reported. This paper presents a review of these cases and discusses clinical features of three additional children in whom the specific syndrome of auditory verbal agnosia was identified. Presenting features, medical and neurological findings, and results of detailed psychometric and speech and language evaluations are discussed. The syndrome should be suspected in any child who develops loss of previously acquired language, preceded, accompanied, or followed by seizures. Joint diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic planning by neurologists, speech-language pathologists, and teachers are recommended.