Epidemiologycal Study of Childhood Epilepsy Using the Newly Classification Proposed

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of electroclinical syndromes and other epilepsies in a population-based group of children, using the newly classification proposed by the ILAE. Material & Methods: The study is based on data obtained from the review of the 454 medical records of patients with active epilepsy who were checked in correspondent follow up consultation from January until December 2009. The newly proposed Report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and terminology 2005—2009 has been applied for diagnosis and classification. Results: Most of the clinical entities were electroclinical syndromes (54.8%). In infants, West syndrome and Dravet syndrome were the most prevalent syndromes. In childhood, the main syndromes were benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and childhood absence epilepsy. In adolescents, juvenile absence epilepsy. Epilepsies attributed to and organized by structural-metabolic causes were seen in 20.8% of the patients, with perinatal insults and cerebral malformations as the most prevalent causes. Epilepsies of unknown cause were seen in 24.1% of patients. Conclusions: Using the most recent ILAE classification of epileptic seizures and the epilepsies we were able to identify most cases. The 2005-2009 ILAE classification may serve as the basis for organizing knowledge about recognized forms of epilepsy and facilitate identification of new forms.