Epilepsy Children's

Pediatric Epilepsy: Understanding and Managing

Epilepsy in childhood, also known as epilepsy infantile, is one of the most common neurological conditions that affects children. This chronic neurological disease is characterized by repeated episodes of involuntary seizures caused by abnormal brain activity.

Childhood epilepsy usually begins in early childhood, before age five, and can continue throughout life. Symptoms of epilepsy can range from mild to severe, and many children with this condition can achieve control of their seizures with proper treatment and management.

Manifestations of epilepsy in children can vary, including visible seizures, loss of consciousness, temporary confusion, or strange behavior. These episodes can be frightening and unsettling for parents and others, so it is important to see a specialist to get an accurate diagnosis and develop the best treatment plan.

The causes of childhood epilepsy can be varied. Some cases are associated with genetic factors, congenital brain abnormalities, or metabolic disorders. In other cases, the reasons remain unknown. It is important to note that epilepsy is not an infectious or contagious disease, and it is not caused by emotional or physical stress on the child.

The diagnosis of childhood epilepsy is usually based on the child's medical history, observation of seizures, and the results of additional tests such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. An accurate diagnosis allows you to determine the type of epilepsy and choose the most effective treatment.

Treatment of epilepsy in children usually involves the use of anticonvulsant medications. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication and dosage based on the type and frequency of seizures, as well as the child's age and general health. It is important to take medications regularly and monitor for possible side effects.

In addition to drug treatment, an important aspect of managing childhood epilepsy is the child's lifestyle. Regular sleep, a healthy diet, moderate physical activity, and stress management can help reduce the frequency of seizures. It may also be helpful to keep a diary of seizures to track their frequency and associate them with possible triggers.

In addition, family and others play an important role in supporting children with epilepsy. Providing a safe environment, teaching loved ones how to respond to seizures, and providing emotional support will help your child cope with the challenges of epilepsy.

In some cases where drug treatment is not effective enough, surgery may be considered. Surgery may be recommended if the area of ​​the brain causing the seizures can be removed without affecting other important brain functions.

It is important to note that each case of childhood epilepsy is individual, and the treatment plan must be tailored to the specific needs of each child. Regular consultations with a neurologist and epileptologist will help monitor the child’s condition and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Currently, research is being conducted to find new methods of treating childhood epilepsy. Research includes the development of new medications, deep brain stimulation technologies and the use of a ketogenic diet. These studies may lead to the development of more effective and individualized approaches to treating epilepsy in children.

In conclusion, childhood epilepsy is a serious condition that requires attention and management. Timely diagnosis, proper treatment and support from family and others will help children with epilepsy achieve a better quality of life. Current research continues to expand our knowledge of this condition and opens new perspectives for future therapeutic approaches.

Childhood epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by the occurrence of seizures, characterized by a short-term loss of consciousness and motor acts. Epileptic seizures are usually associated with changes in the functional activity of the brain in children and adolescents. For the first time, childhood epilepsy became known in 1894 by the English doctor O. Frui. The concept of “childhood epilepsy” itself is not a disease; it only indicates the age at which paroxysms of epileptic origin occur in the development of a child. The exact causes of epilepsy in children have not been fully established, but a number of factors are known that can trigger an attack. Neurologists believe that epilepsy can occur due to factors such as cerebral hemorrhage due to intracranial injury or chronic hypertension. Epidemiology. Among the child population, the frequency of epileptic seizures is very high and amounts to about 2%, however, due to differences in their definition, this figure varies significantly among different researchers. The infantile type of convulsive conditions is most often diagnosed, while absence seizures are extremely rare. According to statistics, even at the age of 6 years, the incidence of the disease is higher in girls than in boys. As they grow older, disturbances in the course of menopause and the menstrual cycle in girls associated with epilepsy come to the fore. An increase in cases of the disease among newborns with perinatal CNS damage was also noted. Childhood epilepsy: symptoms. To recognize the onset of paroxysm of an attack of childhood epilepsy, it is necessary to pay attention to the following signs: loss of consciousness; twitching of body muscles; muscle weakness; change in facial skin color; temporary sensory disturbances. The clinical picture of childhood seizures is characterized by a variety of forms and clinical manifestations. At an early age, spasmodic attacks are more common in twins. Childhood epilepsy is divided into partial and generalized forms. In the later stages of its development, the child’s condition improves, and the likelihood of a recurrent attack becomes minimal or equal to zero. Diagnostics. Neurologists diagnose childhood epilepsy. Diagnostic methods include research: electroencephalogram; neurological status; results