Diagnosis of the epilepsy syndrome

Based on:

• the seizure type or types
• child's age at onset
• family history
• any associated developmental or neurological findings
• EEG - an EEG should be performed only to support a diagnosis of epilepsy in children and young people. If an EEG is considered necessary, it should be performed after the second epileptic seizure but may, in certain circumstances, as evaluated by the specialist, be considered after a first epileptic seizure (1)

The four most common epilepsy syndromes in children are:

• benign Rolandic epilepsy of childhood
• juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• childhood-onset typical absence epilepsy
• cryptogenic/symptomatic, localisation-related epilepsies

Note that it is recommended that all children who have had a first non-febrile seizure should be seen as soon as possible by a specialist in the management of the epilepsies to ensure precise and early diagnosis and initiation of therapy as appropriate to their needs (1)

Reference:

• (1) NICE (2012). The epilepsies: the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care