Childhood seizures: a 25-year follow up. Social and medical prognosis

Abstract

Over 200 children from a group of 628 were followed up after 25 years. The children were identified as having had at least one seizure. Particular attention was given to the long-term prognosis in relation to medical, social, and educational problems. Although nearly two-thirds of the sample suffered minimal ill-effects, the problems of the remainder were considerable. 10-1% had died. Of the survivors 11-2% were confined to institutions, and 6-6% were invalids at home. Just under a quarter had chronic epilepsy. While overall the educational achievement of the sample was good, there was also a considerable number of educational problems. Continuing epilepsy was associated with greatly reduced educational and occupational achievement compared with the group in remission. The study reveals the considerable cost of epilepsy to the community in both human and material terms. It also reveals why epilepsy is regarded as a frightening illness.