Outcome of Childhood Epilepsies

When epilepsy is diagnosed, it is important to try to control the seizures and the social consequences of the disease over several months both in childhood and later in life. Although difficult to measure, these consequences can be assessed through a set of simple questions.  First and foremost: What course of action to take? Should the focus be controlling the seizures, remission with or without anti-epileptic medication, quality of life or a combination of all of the above? Secondly, why try to predict outcomes and who will use this information? Thirdly, exactly how precise are these predictions? Based on the conclusions of a workshop bringing together 49 international experts, the aim of this book is to take a critical look at our current knowledge of epilepsy outcomes in children and identify clinical and basic research pathways for the future.