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Abstract
Mental Handicap and epilepsy are both manifestations of organic brain dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate epilepsy in children with mental handicap with particular reference to prevalence, aetiology, associated disability and treatment. Epilepsy was a complication in 28,7% of the children with mental handicap. The frequency of seizures increased with increasing severity of mental disability and also in those cases which originated from acquired neurological conditions. When the mental handicap was associated with the additional complications of cerebral palsy, sensory handicap and behaviour problems, approximately 40% of the children had epilepsy. Control of seizures was good in 70% of cases and this was achieved with monotherapy in the majority. Carbamazepine was the antiepileptic drug most frequently used, followed by Valproate.