Epileptic events in the XIX century as reported by the Brazilian Royal Family.
Members of the Brazilian Royal Family carry a rich medical history of epileptic seizures and alike.


OBJECTIVE
To present the medical knowledge about epilepsy by the time of the Brazilian Empire, as reported by the royal family.


METHODS
Narrative review of historical facts about D. Pedro I's family health.


RESULTS
The Royal Family, since D. João VI's generation is full of members with epilepsy or acute symptomatic seizures of different etiologies.


CONCLUSIONS
The reported cases suggest that Dom Pedro I's family presented epilepsy with tonic-clonic generalized seizures, besides psychogenic, organic non epileptic events and acute symptomatic seizures. As a whole, this familial epilepsy could fit the diagnosis of generalized epilepsy with febrile convulsion plus.
Gomes
Marleide da Mota
Mda M
Epilepsy Program, Deolindo Couto Neurology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. mmotagomes@acd.ufrj.br
Maia-Filho
Heber de Souza
Hde S
D001938:Brazil; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history*; D005192:Family Health; D005197:Famous Persons; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male