title: Incidence and classification of new-onset epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes in children in Olmsted County, Minnesota from 1980 to 2004: a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence and classification of new-onset epilepsy, as well as the distribution of epilepsy syndromes in a population-based group of children, using the newly proposed Report of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology 2005-2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified all children residing in Olmsted County, MN, 1 month through 17 years with newly diagnosed epilepsy from 1980 to 2004. For each patient, epilepsy was classified into mode of onset, etiology, and syndrome or constellation (if present). Incidence rates were calculated overall and also separately for categories of mode of onset and etiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adjusted incidence rate of new-onset epilepsy in children was 44.5 cases per 100,000 persons per year. Incidence rates were highest in the first year of life and diminished with age. Mode of onset was focal in 68%, generalized/bilateral in 23%, spasms in 3% and unknown in 5%. Approximately half of children had an unknown etiology for their epilepsy, and of the remainder, 78 (22%) were genetic and 101 (28%) were structural/metabolic. A specific epilepsy syndrome could be defined at initial diagnosis in 99/359 (28%) children, but only 9/359 (3%) had a defined constellation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly half of childhood epilepsy is of "unknown" etiology. While a small proportion of this group met criteria for a known epilepsy syndrome, 41% of all childhood epilepsy is of "unknown" cause with no clear syndrome identified. Further work is needed to define more specific etiologies for this group.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy and Child and Adolescent Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States. Wirrell.elaine@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Elaine C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Wirrell
authors.forename: Brandon R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Grossardt
authors.forename: Lily C L
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wong-Kisiel
authors.forename: Katherine C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Nickels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants