An epilepsy syndrome is a disorder defined by seizure type, age of onset, clinical and EEG findings, family history, response to therapy, and prognosis.
A physician will review your child's seizure types, associated symptoms, and diagnostic testing to determine if he or she has an epilepsy syndrome. It is not always possible to classify a child's seizures into a specific syndrome, but in those children with an identifiable syndrome it will be easier to predict response to treatment and prognosis.