Advances in our understanding of early childhood epilepsies: 1999-2000.

Epilepsy is frequent in early childhood, but poorly understood. Management of very young children with refractory epilepsy is particularly challenging, but recent advances in classification, medical therapy, and surgical treatment are helping. We summarize work in each area, focusing on developments in the past 2 years. Classification schemes unique to the needs of very young children will likely improve our ability to accurately diagnose and treat those with refractory seizures. Medication studies are now being done that address some of the specific epilepsy syndromes seen in infants and young children, with promising results in some circumstances. Progress is also being made in the identification of good candidates for early, effective epilepsy surgery. For a variety of reasons and incentives, it is likely that research focusing on infants and young children will continue at a brisk pace.