8-10% of intracranial neoplasms in children are ependymomas. These are among the most common of the intraventricular tumours, along with choroids plexus tumours and colloid cysts. There is a bimodal age distribution. The first peak is for children under five years old and the second for adults between the ages of 20-40 years.

The median age of diagnosis of pediatric ependymomas is three to four years of age, with younger children, less than three to five years, having a less favourable outcome, particularly in posterior fossa ependymomas. Only 4% of pediatric ependymoma patients are older than 15 years.

There is a slight female predominance, with 64% of all intracranial brain tumors presenting in females.

Table 1. Frequency of Ependymomas and Tumour Features