Rolandic paroxysmal epilepsy: a long term study in 150 children.

150 children with Rolandic paroxysmal epilepsy (RPE) aged 3 to 12 years were followed up clinically and by EEG for 16 years. Antiepileptic drugs were administered initially for 2 years and then suspended for 6-12 months. Treatment was resumed in the 29 patients who had seizures during the drug-free interval and was maintained for a further 5 years. 80.6% of all patients were in clinical remission after the 2-year treatment period. Some patients had seizures while on drugs, others during the drug-free interval. Seizure frequency declined with age. No seizures occurred after the age of 14 or in the 8 years following final discontinuation of drug therapy. The need for prolonged drug treatment is therefore questioned.