Sixty percent of the epilepsies start in childhood, and most of the clinically significant and often life-changing aspects of the disease occur at this time. Childhood epilepsy is frequently a complex disorder, demanding integrated medical, educational and community services. Its treatment encompasses acute and disability medicine. The many types or syndromes of childhood epilepsy present both diagnostic and management challenges. Although many children with epilepsy will be referred to specialist units, the majority will initially present to paediatricians and paediatric neurologists. This book provides a practical, problem-oriented manual to help clinicians with diagnosis, evaluation and management. This book addresses epilepsy as an evolving disorder from presentation, through active disease and finally to either spontaneous remission or a chronic lifelong condition. Structured on the child's age at presentation, Childhood Epilepsy offers a practical overview for paediatricians, paediatric neurologists and primary care practitioners who treat children with epilepsy in their daily practice.

The aim of this book is to take a critical look at what is known about outcome of childhood epilepsies, specifically evidence-based findings, and further clarify the direction of clinical and fundamental research for the future. At the time a diagnosis of epilepsy is made for a child, it is highly desirable to predict seizure control and social outcome several months or even years later. Determination of outcome is, however, complex and in order to confront this challenge, a number of simple questions should be addressed: What is to be predicted? This may be seizure control, remission with or without ongoing AED treatment, intractability, social outcome, quality of life, or a combination of the above. What is the purpose of attempting to predict outcome and who will use the information? How accurate is the prediction?

This new edition of the book series dedicated to "Progress in Epileptic Disorders" is the result of a recently held unique gathering of international experts that debated on the prognostic and therapeutic issues raised by the new management of first unprovoked seizures and of newly diagnosed epilepsy. Current knowledge on natural evolution of a first seizure, the role of co-morbid conditions, the impact of immediate versus delayed treatment and recent guidelines are thoroughly addressed. The new ideas and suggestions that emerge from this book offer challenging perspectives for both patient care and clinical as well as fundamental research.