A population-based neuroepidemiological survey of West syndrome in Okayama Prefecture, Japan

It is important for the fields of child neurology and child public health to clarify the prevalence and incidence rates of West syndrome because this syndrome is a major cause of developmental disorders. However, there have been few reports in Japan on the prevalence rate of West syndrome in the general population. We carried out a population-based survey in Okayama Prefecture, in western Japan in 1994. The population under 2 years of age in Okayama Prefecture in 1994 was 37,085. Six cases of West syndrome were identified. The prevalence rate was 0.16 per 1000.