Hot water epilepsy: benign and unrecognized form of epilepsy

Hot water epilepsy belongs to reflex epilepsies. Seizures are provoked by hot water, due to the association of both cutaneous and heat stimuli. Described mainly in India and Japan, it seems to be rare in Europe where it occurs in young children. We report five infants aged from 6 months to 2 years. They had seizures during bathing with activity arrest, hypotonia and vasoactive modification. Sometimes, clonic movements can be observed. Seizures course and psychomotor development were favourable. Treatment is simple. Decrease of bath temperature is required and can be sufficient. Antiepileptic drug is sometimes usefull. Hot water epilepsy is a benign epilepsy. Its incidence could be underestimated because seizures can be confused with febrile convulsions or vagal fits.