[The valence of genetics and exogenous factors in epilepsies of childhood (author's transl)].

Exogenous and genetic factors must be taken into consideration in the etiology of epilepsy. Exogenous lesions may arise pre-, peri- or postnatally. The effect of genetics on the etiology has previously been suggested by a markedly increased familial occurrence of epileptic patients with seizures, investigations of twins and the occurrence of attacks in demyelinating diseases and congenital metabolic disorders. A modern method of examination in epileptic patients is the electroencephalographic family investigation. The results obtained in examinations by this method are described.