To the Editor:—
An article entitled "Convulsive Disorders and Participation in Sports and Physical Education" (206:1291, 1968) stated that "... young people with convulsive disorders, once the seizures are under reasonable control, should be encouraged to lead as normal and active a life as possible." This article concludes by stating that "... participation should include any sports of interest with the exception of boxing, tackle football, ice hockey, diving, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and other activities where chronic recurrent head trauma may occur."These recommendations are, in my opinion, contradictory. Certainly, it is possible for a controlled epileptic to participate in the sports, such as those listed in this paper as prohibited. Apparently the individuals who formulated the recommendations presented in this paper believe that chronic recurrent head trauma unequivocally causes a recurrence of preexisting epileptic seizures.I take issue with this conclusion for many reasons, among which I call attention to