Donuts, Keppra & A Pot of Coffee: About Epilepsy

200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year.
Incidence is highest under the age of 2 and over 65.
45,000 children under the age of 15 develop epilepsy each year.
Males are slightly more likely to develop epilepsy than females.
Incidence is greater in African American and socially disadvantaged populations.
Trends show decreased incidence in children; increased incidence in the elderly.
In 70 percent of new cases, no cause is apparent.
50 percent of people with new cases of epilepsy will have generalized onset seizures.
Generalized seizures are more common in children under the age of 10; afterwards more than half of all new cases of epilepsy will have partial seizures.
Prevalence of active epilepsy (history of the disorder plus a seizure or use of antiepileptic medicine within the past 5 years) is estimated as nearly 3 million in the United States.
Prevalence tends to increase with age.
326,000 children through age 15 have epilepsy.
More than 300,000 persons over the age of 65 have epilepsy.
Higher among racial minorities than among Caucasians.
Cumulative incidence (risk of developing epilepsy):
By 20 years of age, one percent of the population can be expected to have developed epilepsy.
By 75 years of age, three percent of the population can be expected to have been diagnosed with epilepsy, and ten percent will have experienced some type of seizure.

Donuts, Keppra & A Pot of Coffee