Course and outcome of childhood epilepsy: A 15‐year follow‐up of the Dutch Study of Epilepsy in Childhood

Abstract

In most children with newly diagnosed epilepsy, the long-term prognosis of epilepsy is favorable, and in particular, patients with idiopathic etiology will eventually reach remission. In contrast, epilepsy remains active in approximately 30% and becomes intractable in approximately 10%. AEDs probably do not influence epilepsy course; they merely suppress seizures. Mortality is significantly higher only in those with remote symptomatic etiology.