Epilepsy syndromes of childhood and adolescence

Epilepsy syndromes are defined as distinctive disorders identifiable on the basis of a typical age of onset, specific EEG characteristics, seizure types, and other features. A wide range of epilepsy syndromes present throughout infancy, childhood and adolescence from benign self-limiting syndromes to severe epileptic encephalopathies. Accurate recognition and diagnosis of these syndromes is essential to ensure appropriate investigation and treatment. Recent revisions to the classification of childhood epilepsy and recent scientific, particularly genetic, discoveries have had an impact on our understanding of the childhood epilepsies. In this review we consider the role of syndromic diagnosis and describe the typical features and presentation of the most important epilepsy syndromes of childhood and adolescence.