Benign partial epilepsies are a specific group of epilepsies. They are idiopathic partial epilepsies which occur only in child age. They are defined by the age of development, clinical picture of the seizure, typical EEG finding and favourable prognosis. They are genetically conditioned diseases with a poly- genic heredity and age-conditioned penetrance. The cause is cortical hyperexcitability, whereby its site depends on the age when the disease is manifested. The author describes the clinical picture, EEG findings and the course of the most frequent forms of benign partial epilepsies in child age, in particular benign partial epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, the early and late form of epilepsy with occipital seizures. In the review he mentions also other hitherto described forms of benign partial epilepsies. It is a relatively frequent disease, and has to be taken into consideration and diagnosed early. In typical cases it is possible to establish the diagnosis already at the onset of the disease and prevent thus further examinations, optimize treatment and foresee a favourable prognosis.

        Key words: benign partial epilepsy, childhood