Is epilepsy hereditary?
Disease description:
My wife and I are planning to have children, but I have epilepsy, and I have always been worried that it might be inherited by our child. Friends around us have different opinions; some say epilepsy definitely can be inherited, while others say it might not necessarily be. My wife and I are very anxious about this and would like to know for sure whether epilepsy can be inherited or not.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Epilepsy has a certain hereditary tendency, but not all forms of epilepsy will be passed on to the next generation. Primary epilepsy may be inherited, whereas the risk of inheritance for secondary epilepsy is relatively low.
Epilepsy is classified into primary epilepsy and secondary epilepsy. The causes of primary epilepsy are not entirely clear, but it may be closely related to genetic factors. If one parent has primary epilepsy, the probability of their children developing epilepsy is higher than in the general population. If both parents have primary epilepsy, the hereditary probability may be higher.
Secondary epilepsy is mostly caused by acquired factors such as brain diseases, head injuries, and infections. This type of epilepsy carries a relatively lower genetic risk. Even if only secondary epilepsy exists within a family, if certain genetic susceptibility factors are present, the likelihood of offspring developing epilepsy may still slightly increase.
Currently, genetic testing can be used to assess the hereditary risk of certain types of epilepsy. Patients and their family members are advised to correctly understand the genetic risks of epilepsy, actively take preventive measures, and individuals experiencing symptoms or concerns should seek timely medical consultation for professional evaluation and treatment.
