ABSTRACT
Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) manifest clinically with the triad of absences, myoclonic jerks and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), either alone or in combination. These, together with other symptoms, age at onset, prognosis and EEG findings define IGE syndromes.1,2 Of the recognized syndromes of IGE, typical absences are the defining seizure type of childhood absence epilepsy, but GTCS may rarely occur in adolescence. In juvenile absence epilepsy, absences are the hallmark, but most of the patients also have GTCS, with random myoclonic jerks occurring less commonly. In juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, nearly all patients have GTCS in addition to myoclonic jerks; one third also have mild absences. Sleep deprivation, fatigue and excessive alcohol intake are the main precipitating factors in IGEs. Many patients also have photosensitivity of varying severity. In the IGEs, GTCS and myoclonic jerks mainly occur on awakening.
