The changing incidence of childhood epilepsy in Finland.

Introduction: to investigate the childhood epilepsy incidence, population trends, associated factors, and validate the national population registers.

Methods: a comprehensive comparative analysis of childhood epilepsy in the population during two distinct time intervals using medical records, appropriate national medical and population registers, and two random samples for control.

Results: In 1961-1964, the average incidence of epilepsy was 38/100,000 and during 1991-2000 65.

Acute symptomatic seizures: an educational, evidence-based review.

Acute symptomatic seizures occurring in close temporal relationship with an acute CNS insult are distinct from epilepsy and occur frequently in clinical practice. The aim of this educational review is to provide information on the most important aspects related to acute symptomatic seizures that will allow clinicians to accurately distinguish acute symptomatic seizures from epilepsy in their patients. We explain the definition of acute symptomatic seizures and we illustrate how acute symptomatic seizures differ from epilepsy.

What Do We Need to Know About Transition/Transfer Programs and What Sort of Research Will Answer the Questions?

Despite an increasing literature, there are many unanswered questions about transition to adult care for youth with chronic disorders. This paper questions the definition and components of optimal transition programs, their effectiveness and costs. Few transition programs have been comprehensively evaluated and effectiveness studies are usually based on a historical control group.