EPILEPSY IN CHILDREN

Epilepsy is a brain disorder where a child has revenant seizures. The seizures are set off by changes in the chemical and electrical activity in the brain.

There are different types of seizures: some are very short lasting only a few seconds while others can last a few minutes. The type of seizure a child has depends on where the it occurs in the brain and how much of the brain is involved. It can occur as a result of infections, genetic mutations, brain injury or a tumor, abnormal blood vessels or bleeding in the brain.

Diagnosis of an epilepsy is generally made when seizures occur more than once without an identifiable reason such as fever or injury through the use of blood tests or urine tests, electroencephalography (EEG), video electroencephalography (VEEG), CAT scan or MRI.

Treatment usually begins with medications but note that not every child responds to treatment in the same way, so there is no one ‘right treatment’ but when medication doesn’t work, ketogenic diet, vagal nerve stimulation or brain surgery is applied.

(A ketogenic diet is a strict high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet)

The following measures can help the child live better with epilepsy:

Taking medications as prescribed

Avoiding triggers such as sleep, excessive stress, lack of antihistamine drugs, etc

Always communicating with your doctor or pharmacist

(For health professionals only: Drugs commonly used are phenobarbitone, valproic acid, phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, lamotrigine and topiramate.)

                                                                                                                                            ~Dr. Favvy

Next topic: Myths and Facts You should know about Epilepsy in Children