Clinical and EEG family data of 140 cases with early childhood epilepsy with absences are presented. The aim of the study was to evaluate, whether the occurrence of generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) as a presenting symptom might correlate with family data, i.e. whether there are indications of heterogeneity. One hundred and forty cases were selected from the epilepsy family data base of the Neuropaediatric Department. The selection parameter was epilepsy with absences manifesting between the 1st and 5th year of age. The incidence of seizures was evaluated in siblings, parents and parents' siblings. EEG records were available from 103 parents and 106 siblings. The analysis supports the assumption of heterogeneity within early childhood absence epilepsy. Parents and their sibs of cases manifesting with GTCS had seizures twice as often than parents and their sibs in the non-GTCS group. In the affected relatives of the GTCS group early onset GTCS prevailed, whereas in the relatives of the non-GTCS group absences were found more frequently. The EEG of relatives showed elevated incidences of spikes and waves and photosensitivity in both groups, indicating common genetic factors. In parents of the non-GTCS group, however, EEG pathology was significantly more frequent than in parents of the GTCS group. Comparing EEG pathology in parents with seizure risk in siblings, evidence for maternal preponderance in transmission of the seizure liability was found. Mothers' EEG seems to be the best predictor of the seizure risk in probands' siblings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)