What We Know About Epilepsy & Hereditary Causes
Most children have only a slightly higher chance of developing epilepsy when their parent has epilepsy (3.5-6%) than when their parent doesn’t have epilepsy (1-2%). In some people, epilepsy is caused by a genetic mutation in one or more genes, and the risk could go up to 50%. Your level of risk depends on your specific situation, so you should consult with your epilepsy care team if you have concerns.
Common Questions About Heredity & Epilepsy
Consult With Your Doctor
We understand that you may be concerned about passing epilepsy onto your children. But research shows that most children of a parent with epilepsy only have a slightly higher chance of developing the condition than children of a parent who doesn’t have epilepsy. In some people, epilepsy is caused by a genetic mutation in one or more genes and these individuals may have up to a 50% chance of passing it on.
Consult with your epilepsy care team if you have questions about epilepsy and hereditary concerns.
Download our Pregnancy Planning With Epilepsy - Questions to Ask Your Doctors, and bring a copy to your appointments to help guide your conversations and get the answers you need.
Start working with your epilepsy care team as much as 12 months before you decide you want to try to get pregnant. They’ll help you plan your pregnancy in the safest way for you and your baby, including recommending genetic counseling and testing, when appropriate.
Reviewed by: EPMC Expert Panel, March 2025