[Epilepsy: spidemiological study in a child population]

The principal aims of this paper were to know the epidemiologic and clinical aspects of epilepsy in children and the use of an original methodology in the study of chronic illnesses. A survey was carried out through home calls by sampling an area in Havana City, Cuba; 14,445 children were studied. The sample was chosen at random by groups with proportional probabilities as to size, single stage. It was carried out by: --Detection of suspects by questioning. --Confirmation of suspects by means of a clinical exmination performed by specialists. Prevalence in children resulted in 7.5 epileptic children out of a thousand inhabitants. The lowest rate present was from 0 to 4 years of age (3.5) and the highest, from 10 to 14 (10). 39.4% of the cases had their first attack during the first year of lie. A highest rate was present was from 0 to 4 years of age (3.5) and the highest, from 10 to 14 (10). 39.4% of the cases had their first attack during the first year of life. A highest rate was present in the male sex (8.4 and lowest in females (6.5). Educational level was lower than the population's average; 37% did not attend classes, 87% of children showed generalized attacks, 48.1% were classified as having primary epilepsy (idiopathic) and 51.8% as organic (secondary). Some other clinical phenomena are also described, as well as aspects of medical care.