[Epilepsy of the developmental age and control of seizure-releasing factors]

On the basis of an analysis of a paediatric material the author discusses the most important elements influencing the pattern of developmental age epilepsy calling attention to the significance of early aetiological diagnosis since in this early period of life many processes can be treated causatively before epilepsy develops into a chronic disease. The dynamic course of epilepsy and classification difficulties resulting from clinical and electroencephalographic variability of childhood epilepsy are discussed explaining these facts by differences in structural maturity and functional organization at the age of development. It is indispensable to know the classification of seizure circuits for selection of possibly effective symptomatic treatment for prevention of seizures and their sequelae in the neuropsychiatric and social aspects. In the clinical course of a given case there are also individual differences between the seizure-releasing factors and their knowledge helps to avoid the critical threshold of seizure readiness releasing seizures in a given child. Acceptance of certain rules for observation in the everyday life of patients permits an individual prophylaxis of seizures. This shows that prevention of epileptic seizures includes not only causative and symptomatic treatment but also the knowledge of individual seizure-releasing factors which cannot be controlled pharmacologically.