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As in other neurological disorders, the diagnostic process in a child with epileptic seizures attempts to answer two questions: (1) the ascertainment of the type of seizure that the child has experienced, and its focus, if any; and (2) the cause for the attacks.
The paper by Yalaz and Treves,1 published in the current issue of Pediatrics, raises the point as to how extensively one should search for an answer to these questions. A thorough history, taken not only from the parent, but also from the child who may prove to be a surprisingly reliable informant, is undoubtedly the single most important prerequisite for diagnosing the seizure type.