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<style justify> Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in people of all ages, and affects the central nervous system. This disorder is chronic, and entails recurrent, unprovoked seizures lacking visible cause (Mayo Clinic, 2013). These seizures are the most characteristic symptom of this disorder, and are due mainly to the disruption of nerve cell activity, ranging from mild to severe (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Epilepsy may also constitute a range of other health problems, and can affect the safety, social relationships, and treatment of afflicted individuals (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014). Diagnoses of epilepsy are based on medical and family history, descriptions of episodic seizures, as well as various diagnostic tests, such as electorencephalograms (EEGs). Epileptic seizures are readily controllable with medications, or various other treatment options (Epilepsy Ontario, 2016).

Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE), or petit mal epilepsy, typically occurs in otherwise normal, school-aged children, with peak onset occurring at 6-7 years old. It is observed more frequently in young girls. This disorder is characterized by frequent, daily absence seizures (Loiseau et al., 2002). Absences differ from regular epileptic seizures in that they are non-convulsive and typically accompanied by a brief loss of consciousness. Absence seizures can occur in epileptic children up to 200 times a day (Crunelli and Leresche, 2002). They are unassociated with visual and sensory stimuli, and are generally deemed as unprovoked. CAE typically tends to recede in adolescence for most affected individuals (Crunelli and Leresche, 2002). </style>

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Approximately 1 in 100 Canadians currently live with epilepsy (Epilepsy Ontario, 2016). The yearly incidence of epilepsy is deemed to be approximately 50 cases per 100 000 individuals in developed and industrialized countries. In areas of socioeconomic deprivation, these risks tend to be higher. Generally, in these regions, the yearly incidence tends to hover around 150 cases per 100 000 individuals (Sander, 2003). Resource-poor countries are believed to demonstrate higher incidences of the disorder due, in part, to the lack of medical facilities and improper diagnoses. However, despite these factors, it is widely believed that rates in developing countries are genuinely higher (Sander, 2003).

Globally, 50 million people are currently afflicted by epilepsy. Active epilepsy — constituting recurrent seizures and use of medication — is estimated at 4-10 individuals per 1000 in higher income countries, while the rate proves higher in low income areas, at about 7-14 per 1000 (World Health Organization, 2012). Endemic conditions such as malaria, injury, and medical infrastructure are believed to contribute to these rates of disease (World Health Organization, 2012).

New diagnoses of epilepsy are approximated at 2.4 million annually (World Health Organization, 2012).

In the case of Childhood Absence Epilepsy, the annual incidence has been reported to fall within the range of 2-8% per 100,000 children under the age of 16 years old. Among children that are already afflicted with epilepsy, rates can go up 10% (Crunelli and Leresche, 2002). Furthermore, girls are deemed to be at twice the risk of boys in developing Childhood Absence Epilepsy, however, equal incidences have thus far been reported (Crunelli and Leresche, 2002).

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