Pitfalls in the diagnosis and misdiagnosis of epilepsy

Epilepsy affects 1 in 200 children in the UK. Appropriate management and prognosis depends on accurate diagnosis. There is no single diagnostic test. Diagnosis is based principally on history of attacks with support from investigations. Misdiagnosis rate is high amongst children, the commonest cause being the lack of awareness of other causes of paroxysmal events in childhood and misinterpretation of EEG findings. A paediatrician with expertise and training in epilepsy, working within a network linked to tertiary Paediatric Neurology, should undertake assessment of children presenting with paroxysmal events.