Multifacctorial origin and clinical presentations of epilepsy in west Bengal.

Epilepsy is a brain dysfunction characterised by unpredictable occurrence of seizures. There are various causes and presentations of epilepsy but in many cases no definite cause is found. In the present work an effort has been made to search different causes and presentations of epilepsy in West Bengal. In this respect 66 subjects of different age groups suffering from epilepsy were chosen during a period of 1 1/2 years (June 2003 to November 2004). They were closely followed with thorough history taking, clinical examination and relevant investigations. Partial seizures comparised 57.6% cases whereas generalised seizure accounted for rest 42.4% cases. Idiopathic epilepsy was found to be highest in number (59.0%) followed by infective (15.2%) and and post-traumatic (7.6%). Positive family history was obtained in 35.9% cases, history of birth asphyxia in 25.6% cases and history of febrile convulsion in 20.5% cases of idiopathic epilepsy. In a certain percentage of idiopathic cases various psychosocial factors were found to be associated with epilepsy.