Background: The intention of this retrospective study was to collect information on epilepsy in children in the catchment area of the Sunnmøre Hospital Trust, to compare the findings with other Norwegian and international studies and to assess the medical services for this patient group.
Material and methods: We studied hospital records for all children born in the period 1989-2003 (a population of 30,106), and estimated the point prevalence for the date 31.12.2003. Guidelines and proposals from the International League Against Epilepsy were followed.
Results: 141 children with epilepsy were identified (88 boys and 53 girls), the sex ratio was 1.66 and the total prevalence 4.7 (3.9-5.5) per 1000 children. At the prevalence date, 114 children had active epilepsy, giving a point prevalence of 3.8 (3.1-4.5) per 1000 children. For the year 2003, the incidence rate of new cases was 46.8 per 100,000. 52% of the seizures were classified as focal, 37% as generalized and 11% were unclassified. Of the epilepsies and epileptic syndromes, 50% were classified as focal, 40% as generalized and 10% were unclassified. A likely aetiology of the epilepsy was found in 41% of the cases.
Interpretation: The prevalence of epilepsy in children in the Sunnmøre District does not differ from that in other Nordic countries. Classification of seizures and the distribution of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes were similar to that in other studies. The incidence of epilepsy among children in Norway has remained quite stable the last 30-40 years. The study shows that patients were diagnosed and treated according to international guidelines and recommendations.