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Table 1. Idiopathic generalised epilepsies as perceived by the relevant Committees of the
ILAE.
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Commission of the ILAE (1989)

Idiopathic generalised epilepsies

Benign neonatal familial convulsions
Rare, dominantly inherited disorders manifesting mostly on the second and third days of life, with
clonic or apnoeic seizures and no specific EEG criteria. History and investigations reveal no
aetiological factors. About 14% of patients develop epilepsy later.

Benign neonatal convulsions
Very frequently repeated clonic or apnoeic seizures occurring about the fifth day of life, without known
aetiology or concomitant metabolic disturbance. Inter-ictal EEG often shows alternating sharp theta
waves. No recurrence of seizures. Psychomotor development not affected.

Benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy
Characterised by brief bursts of generalised myoclonus associated with generalised spike-waves
occurring during the first or second year of life in otherwise normal children who often have a family
history of convulsions or epilepsy. Generalised tonic-clonic seizures may occur during adolescence.

Childhood absence epilepsy (pyknolepsy)

Juvenile absence epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (impulsive petit mal)

Epilepsy with generalised tonic-clonic seizures on awakening
Epilepsies with seizures precipitated by specific modes of activation
Most of the photosensitive epilepsies belong to the group of idiopathic generalised epilepsies.

Other generalised epilepsies not defined above

ILAE Task Force on Classification (2001)

Idiopathic generalised epilepsies

Benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy

Epilepsy with myoclonic astatic seizures

Childhood absence epilepsy

Epilepsy with myoclonic absences

Idiopathic generalised epilepsies with variable phenotypes
 Juvenile absence epilepsy
 Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
 Epilepsy with generalised tonic-clonic seizures only

Generalised epilepsies with febrile seizures plus (to consider)
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