It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide and 2.5 million Americans have epilepsy. About 75% of epileptic seizures start in childhood. About 5% of the population will have at least one seizure, not counting the 5% of children who have seizures caused by fevers. The cause can be determined for about 28% of partial epilepsy patients, but in nearly three quarters of all cases, the cause is unknown. The age of onset can sometimes offer a clue.

Possible Causes for Epilepsy including
Head injury: People who sustain a head injury as a result of an automobile accident, sports injury, fall, or act of violence may develop epilepsy. Epilepsy may begin immediately after an injury, or it may take many years to develop.
Birth trauma: Infants who suffer a lack of oxygen during birth may develop resulting damage to the brain’s electrical system.
Poisoning: Lead poisoning has been associated with the development of epilepsy. Likewise, more than 5,000 people each year are reported to develop seizures caused by alcoholism.
Infection: Infections that can affect the brain like meningitis, viral encephalitis, mumps, measles, and diphtheria can result in epilepsy. Brain tumors. In some instances, a seizure may be the first sign that a brain tumor exists. For others who have a brain tumor removed, seizures may result after treatment.