Relevance of family history of seizures

Abstract

The approximately tenfold increase in risk (1 in 250 to 1 in 25) to those who have a positive but not extensive family history of recurrent seizures would seem to be considerable but the actual figure of 4% is small. Only if the family history concerns at least 2 closely related members does the risk reach the 10% mark (on the borderline between high and low), but even then the burden of the disorder and response to treatment in the other family members should be taken into account. Familial epilepsy often responds more readily to therapy than other types.