E. Oka et al., NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF CHILDHOOD EPILEPSY BY APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF EPILEPSIES AND EPILEPTIC SYNDROMES (ILAE, 1989), Epilepsia, 36(7), 1995, pp. 658-661
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.