title: [Idiopathic epilepsy with generalized seizures in early childhood].
abstract: Idiopathic epilepsies with generalized seizures of early childhood are based on a genetic predisposition. The onset takes place between the first and fifth years of age, boys are affected more often than girls. Dependent on the clinical symptomatology you have to distinguish: myoclonic seizures; atonic-astatic seizures; myoclonic-astatic seizures; absences; tonic-clonic seizures. In more than half of the cases a combination of these seizures can be observed. The differentiation of epilepsies with generalized seizures of multifocal origin (infantile spasms, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Pseudo-Lennox syndrome [atypical benign epilepsy]) may be difficult but is essential. Therapy of choice is valproate, often in combination with ethosuximide (in children with minor seizures) or with kaliumbromide or phenobarbital (in children with tonic-clonic seizures). Generally the prognosis is more unfavourable if epilepsy starts in the first year of life with afebrile and febrile generalized tonic-clonic or clonic seizures, if children are suffering from longlasting states of seizures and if development is disturbed before beginning of epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Kinderneurologisches Zentrum, Kliniken der Landeshauptstadt, Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gross-Selbeck
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
vernacular_title: Idiopathische Epilepsien mit generalisierten Anfällen des frühen Kindesalters.