A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A person can get epilepsy with or without the ones listed below. The chances of getting epilepsy are greater in people who have many.
Epilepsy is more common in people who have other family members with it. Other things that may raise the risk are:
Medical Conditions
Any injury to the brain can raise the risk. Brain injury can be caused by:
- Head injury
- Bleeding or problems with blood vessels in the brain
- Swelling in the brain
- Lack of oxygen to the brain
- Stroke
- Brain tumors
- Infections, such as:
Parasitic infections, such as malaria, can also raise the risk.
Other Health Problems
Other health problems associated with epilepsy are:
Risks in Children
Things that may raise the risk of epilepsy in children are:
- Small size at birth
- Seizures in the first month of life
- Problems with the structure of the brain
- Having seizures due to high fever
Last reviewed February 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Rimas Lukas, MD
Last Updated: 4/10/2020
