NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF CHILDHOOD EPILEPSY BY APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF EPILEPSIES AND EPILEPTIC SYNDROMES (ILAE, 1989)

A population-based survey of childhood epilepsy was made in 1975 on th e total population of children aged <10 years living in Okayama Prefec ture (n = 2,378 patients). Using the data obtained, we attempted to re classify the various types of epilepsy according to the international classification (ILAE, 1989). Reclassification was possible in 1,872 (7 8.7%) of the 2,378 cases. The 1,872 cases consisted of 1,045 (55.8%) w ith localization-related epilepsies, 824 (44.0%) with generalized epil epsies, and 3 (0.2%) with epilepsies undetermined whether focal or gen eralized. Classification of the epilepsies in population-based survey using the international classification involves difficulties, because both clinical and EEG findings are essential, However, if an appropria te area is selected, classification of epilepsies and epileptic syndro mes in a population-based survey is possible by referring to all medic al records stored at every hospital and practitioner's clinic that adm inisters treatment to patients with epilepsy in the area.