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Will The Son Of An Epileptic Woman Develop Epilepsy Later In Life?
Hello Sir/Madam
Iam engaged to a guy whose mother has epilepsy from childhood. Both the guy(25 years) and his elder brother(26 years) are doing good without any symptoms of epilepsy till now.His father doesn't have epilepsy.There is no previous history of anyone having epilepsy in his family according to him and his mother was the first to have. His father is doing good. His mother is having epilepsy from childhood from around 8-9 years or may be even earlier. In between she had stopped the medication for about 10 years since there was no sign of seizures or other symptoms,but resumed it later when she had symptoms. Whenever she has seizures, she looses consciousness, there is loss of memory for few days. She is taking Mazetol and Tegretol as of now as per doctor's advice. My concern is, Will the guy develop epilepsy in future or is there any chance of future generations getting epilepsy?Will our kids get epilepsy?If there are chances with kids getting epilepsy, what is the percentage? What can be done to determine whether it is hereditary or not? Will appreciate any proper information provided. Thanks in advance.
Iam engaged to a guy whose mother has epilepsy from childhood. Both the guy(25 years) and his elder brother(26 years) are doing good without any symptoms of epilepsy till now.His father doesn't have epilepsy.There is no previous history of anyone having epilepsy in his family according to him and his mother was the first to have. His father is doing good. His mother is having epilepsy from childhood from around 8-9 years or may be even earlier. In between she had stopped the medication for about 10 years since there was no sign of seizures or other symptoms,but resumed it later when she had symptoms. Whenever she has seizures, she looses consciousness, there is loss of memory for few days. She is taking Mazetol and Tegretol as of now as per doctor's advice. My concern is, Will the guy develop epilepsy in future or is there any chance of future generations getting epilepsy?Will our kids get epilepsy?If there are chances with kids getting epilepsy, what is the percentage? What can be done to determine whether it is hereditary or not? Will appreciate any proper information provided. Thanks in advance.
posted on
Mon, 2 Dec 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 3 Dec 2013
Answered on
Wed, 4 Dec 2013
Last reviewed on
Hi, I have gone through your query and understood your concerns. A positive family history of epilepsy in a first degree relative is a risk factor for epilepsy but it is important to note that there are many other risk factors like low oxygen during birth, head injuries during birth or from accidents, infections like meningitis or encephalitis, stroke, brain tumors and so on. If any risk factor or probable cause could be traced out in your would-be mother-in-law, it could be of help. But, however, since none of her children has developed epilepsy, it is possible that the cause is not genetic meaning that you do not need to worry so much about it.
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