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Childhood Seizures
and Epilepsy
Trish Barry McElfresh, PNP
Nicolas Krawiecki, MD
Tools for Living
May 3, 2003
Prevalence
 2.5 million persons with Epilepsy
 70,000-128,000 new cases annually
 third most common neurologic disorder
Hauser, WA, Heodorffer, DC, Epilepsy: Frequency, causes and
consequences, NY, NY, Demos, 1991:1
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Incidence & Risk Factors for Epilepsy in Childhood
 <10 years old, occurs 4.3/1000
 Male = Female
 Generalized onset seizures most common seizure type in
children <5 years old
 Mostly idiopathic no identifiable cause
 Risk Factors: Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Febrile
Seizures, CNS Infection, Head Trauma
 Vaccination is ok, not a risk factor
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Epilepsy in Children under 15 years
Seizure type
Etiology
Other generalized
11%
Idiopathic 68%
Generalized tonicclonic 19%
Absence
13%
Myoclonic 7%
Unknown/
multiple
9%
Simple
focal
11%
Other
focal
7%
Complex focal 23%
Congenital
20%
Degenerative
1%
Trauma 5%
Infection 4%
Vascular 2%
Neoplastic 2%
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Seizure Definition
A paroxysmal electrical discharge of
neurons in the brain resulting in
alternation of function or behavior
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