Aetiological factors in Tanzanian epileptics

The study deals with 428 patients with epilepsy who were referred to the neurology clinic, Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam; and analysed for aetiological factors. Of these, 146(34%) had identifiable causes which were acquired in 95%. Sixty seven (46%) of patients with identifiable causative factors were children below the age of fifteen and 35(24%) adults were above the age of thirty. The cause of epilepsy in 71% of children was childhood febrile convulsions and CNS infections while in 74% adults, it was due to head injury, tumours and vascular disease. Twice as many patients with partial epilepsy had identifiable aetiological factors than those with generalised epilepsy. Childhood febrile convulsion was commonly associated with partial epilepsy with complex symptoms while birth injury and CNS infections were associated with generalised epilepsy. Vascular causes and tumours were associated with partial epilepsy. The significance of identifiable aetiological factors and their association to various types of epilepsy is discussed. This study is a preliminary report of a major study which commenced in January, 1983 dealing with classification, clinical presentation, social factors and management of epileptic patients referred to this Clinic.