Epilepsy In Children - How To Deal With It?

Epilepsy is repeated episodes of seizures caused by abnormal signals in the nerve cells in the brain, which can result in strange sensations, convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness. It is frightening to watch your child have an episode of seizure, but the good news is that most children with epilepsy outgrow seizures. An episode usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Types of Seizures
There are 2 types of seizures:
Generalized Seizures affect the whole brain

• Generalized tonic-clonic seizure: It is the most common type of seizures in children. In this condition, the child's body becomes stiff and falls, the child may also experience shaking of the limbs. The skin becomes bluish and teeth are clenched. The child may fall into a deep sleep afterward.
• Absence or Petit Mal Seizures: The child is unresponsive and may have eyelid blinking/ staring.
• Atonic and tonic seizures: The child collapses suddenly due to complete loss of muscle tone. This can result in head injuries.
• Myoclonic Seizures: The child may experience sudden, brief jerky movements of muscles of head, neck, and shoulders.

Partial Seizures affect a part of the brain

• Simple partial seizures are characterized by uncontrollable movement of a part of the body. The child is conscious and aware but can't control the movement.
• Complex partial seizures occur mostly during sleep the child may make odd movements, run, scream and even hallucinate. And if the child is awake, he doesn't recall the event.

Do's and Don'ts during an episode of seizure

• Keep a track of how long the episode lasts
• Turn the child to one side to prevent choking
• Put a pillow under the child's head
• Never try to put anything in the child's mouth as it may obstruct the breathing.

There can be many causes of episodes of seizures

• During high fever in the first 48 hours (febrile seizures)
• Head injury
• Bacterial and viral infections of brain like meningitis
• Lack of oxygen to brain
• Disorders in brain development
• Organic disorders of brain like cysts and tumors

Diagnosis

• It is confirmed by a pediatric neurologist
• Various investigations are done to confirm the diagnosis including MRI and EEG.
• Blood and urine tests to diagnose infections

Treatment of epilepsy
The pediatric neurologist usually decides the treatment plan depending on the child's age, weight, and type of epilepsy.

• Antiepileptic medications are the first line of treatment. The drugs are usually required for two years and then if there is no episode for these two years, it is discontinued. These drugs may have some side effects like drowsiness, inability to concentrate and gingival enlargement. Discuss with your pediatrician on ways to manage them.
• Sometimes a ketogenic diet is also prescribed. The child is given a fat rich and carbohydrate low diet.

It is worrisome as a parent if your child is diagnosed with epilepsy, but about 65% children need medication for 2 years and then outgrow seizures. However, remember that the child should never miss their medication and get enough sleep.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!