Epidemiological survey of epilepsy in the special school population in the city of Buenos Aires. A comparison with mainstream schools.

Background: Previous studies in special schools have shown a high prevalence of epilepsy, which is strongly associated with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation. The conditions regulating school placement have also been described in those studies. In the City of Buenos Aires, information is known only for mainstream schools.

Epidemiological survey of epilepsy in the primary school population in Buenos Aires.

Background: Most studies carried out in Latin America have shown greater rates of epilepsy and generalized seizures than those observed in developed countries, in spite of lower numbers of patients receiving treatment. To date, studies in Argentina have been insufficient to establish true prevalence.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in primary school children in Buenos Aires, together with rates of different seizure types, treatments prescribed, diagnoses made and number of inadequate therapies administered, as well as the relationship between epilepsy and learning difficulties.