Seizures & CNS Infection
About 1% of children in industrialized nations will experience an infection of the Central Nervous System (CNS) by the age of 10.
Those who survive the infection have an increased risk for epilepsy of 5 - 10%.
This risk does not depend upon the age at infection, but varies according to the infective agent.
Aseptic Meningitis
- No significantly increased risk for epilepsy
Bacterial Meningitis- 5-fold increase in risk for epilepsy, mainly within 2 years of the infection.
After 5 years, the risk is not increased.
Viral Encephalitis- 10-fold increase in risk for epilepsy,
highest during the first 5 years following infection, and
persisting for at least 15 years following infection.
Brain Abscess- In about 30% of cases, epilepsy develops within 5 years.
During a CNS infection, about 5% of individuals will experience 1 or more acute symptomatic seizures (caused by the infection).
The occurrence of these seizures is associated with an additional increase in the risk for developing epilepsy in subsequent years.
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