Genetic study of epilepsy

This study comprised 32 patients with epilepsy. They were referred to the Human Genetics Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt. They were mentally retarded with the exception of three patients who had normal mentality. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 16 years. Females and males were equally affected (M/F=1). All patients were evaluated to identify the specific etiology of epilepsy. They were classified into symptomatic generalized epilepsy (29 cases) and idiopathic generalized epilepsy (3 cases). After evaluation they were classified according to their diagnosis into those displaying mendelian inheritance, norunendelian inheritance and chromosome disorders. The symptomatic group showed a mendelian inheritance and chromosomal aberrations while the idiopathic group showed a nonmendelian inheritance.