The risk of recurrence of nonfebrile seizures in children.

In a prospective study, the risk of recurrence after a first postneonatal nonfebrile seizure was 61% by age 7 years. The risk of recurrence for nonsymptomatic seizures was considerably higher than for seizures attributed to immediate precipitating factors. Focal motor seizures were more likely than generalized motor seizures to recur. Children who had prior neonatal seizures were at greater risk for nonfebrile recurrence than children with no prior seizure. Family history and neurodevelopmental status were not significantly related to recurrence risk. Almost 90% of recurrences took place within 1 year, and 96% within 2 years.