[Symptomatic and cryptogenic epilepsies in the child]

Symptomatic and cryptogenic epilepsies are related to detected or suspected cerebral lesions. Early identification of defined epileptic syndromes and etiology is helpful to adapt treatment. Generalized epilepsies are severe, often refractory and generally associated with cognitive dysfunction or regression. Partial symptomatic or cryptogenic epilepsies represent about 40% of all epilepsies in childhood and diagnosis as well as therapeutic strategy can be difficult. Semiology of partial seizures is related to epileptogenic focus and discharge propagation. Causes are numerous and are to be always extensively searched.