Objective: To study the clinical profile of patients diagnosed as havi
ng abdominal epilepsy. Setting: Neurology Service at the King Fahd Hos
pital of the University (KFHU), Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. Patients and M
ethods: Review of all records of patients diagnosed as having epilepsy
at the KFHU between January 1985 and December 1992. Results: Abdomina
l epilepsy was diagnosed in four Saudi males, three children and one a
dult. They all presented with recurrent abdominal pain and vomiting. T
he diagnosis was made on the basis of abdominal pain of non-gastrointe
stinal origin, EEG abnormalities and good response to antiepileptic dr
ugs. Conclusion: Although abdominal epilepsy is uncommon it is importa
nt for physicians to be aware of the condition since the symptoms are
readily responsive to anticonvulsants.