A population-based neuroepidemiological survey of West syndrome in OkayamaPrefecture, Japan

It is important for the fields of child neurology and child public health t o clarify the prevalence and incidence rates of West syndrome because this syndrome is a major cause of developmental disorders. However, there have been few reports in Japan on the prevalence rate of Wes t syndrome in the general population. We carried out a population-based survey in Okayama Prefecture, in western Japan in 1994. The Population under 2 years of age in Okayama Prefecture in 1994 was 37,085. Six cases of West syndrome were identified. The prevalenc e rate was 0.16 per 1000. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved .