childhood-onset epilepsy syndrome Panayiotopoulos syndrome true Panayiotopoulos syndrome is characterized by the onset in early childhood of focal autonomic seizures that are often prolonged. The EEG commonly shows high amplitude focal spikes and may be activated by sleep. Seizures are infrequent in most patients, with 25% only having a single seizure (which may be autonomic status epilepticus) and 50% having six seizures or less. Seizures are self-limiting with remission typically within a few years from onset.