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Twin birth is not a risk factor for seizures
S F Berkovic1, R A Howell, D A Hay
1Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Australia.
Neurology
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Perinatal factors are not a major cause of epilepsy. This study on twins found no increased seizure risk, indicating genetics plays a larger role in common epilepsies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- A common belief suggests perinatal factors significantly contribute to epilepsy etiology.
- Twins, often experiencing more adverse perinatal events, provide a unique model to study this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of perinatal factors in the etiology of common epilepsies.
- To determine if twins have an increased risk of seizures compared to the general population.
- To elucidate the genetic versus environmental contributions to epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Community-based twin study analyzing seizure occurrence in twins and their non-twin siblings.
- Comparison of seizure frequencies based on zygosity (monozygotic vs. dizygotic).
- Assessment of perinatal factors including birth order and birth weight.
Main Results:
- Twins did not exhibit an increased risk of seizures; observed rates aligned with general population incidence.
- Epilepsies observed in twins were typically benign and self-limiting, not indicative of brain damage.
- Seizure frequency in co-twins of dizygotic twins and non-twin siblings was similar, but significantly lower than in co-twins of monozygotic twins (38% vs. 9-12%).
- Zygosity, birth order, and birth weight did not predict epilepsy status.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal factors appear to have minimal influence on the etiology of common epilepsies.
- A substantial genetic component significantly contributes to the development of certain epilepsy types.
- The study challenges the prevailing notion of perinatal events as primary drivers of common epilepsies.