EPILEPSY IN YOUNG-PEOPLE - 23 YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF THE BRITISH NATIONAL CHILD-DEVELOPMENT STUDY

Objective: To estimate the incidence and prevalence of epilepsy during childhood and early adult life in England, Scotland, and Wales. Desig n: Prospective study of 17 414 children born in England, Scotland, and Wales between 3 and 9 March 1958, followed up at 7, 11, 16, and 23 ye ars of age, with a review of those with epilepsy at age 28. Subjects: People with epilepsy developing at or before age 23. Main outcome meas ures: The age specific incidence, cumulative incidence, and prevalence of epilepsy. Results: 124 young people had a confirmed diagnosis of e pilepsy during their first 23 years (cumulative incidence 8.4 per 1000 ; 95% confidence interval 6.8 to 10.0). 6 had died by age 23. 46 (37%) had neurological impairment or another major health problem in additi on to epilepsy. The prevalence of active epilepsy at age 23 was 6.3 pe r 1000 (4.9 to 7.7). Conclusions: A wide variety of seizure disorders is included under the term epilepsy. A third of cases had generalised seizures. In only a quarter was the onset of seizures attributed to a specific cause. Children with additional health problems were more lik ely to continue to have seizures in early adult life than those with e pilepsy alone. 1 in 8 were prescribed drug treatment for 6 years or mo re after their last seizure. All deaths occurred in young adults over the age of 16.