The most common neurological disorder among children is epilepsy, which can occur in all genders and ages, especially in children. The global incidence of epilepsy is about 3.5 million cases per year, with 40% of patients under 18 years old. When considering the population ratio, the incidence of epilepsy in children is between 3.5 – 7.2 per 1,000 people, making it an issue that should not be ignored.
Epilepsy in Young Children
Epilepsy is caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. It includes both generalized seizures and absence seizures and is a disease that significantly impacts children and their families, affecting development, upbringing, socialization, and education. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose correctly and receive timely treatment.
Causes of Epilepsy in Children
The causes of epilepsy can stem from various conditions including:
1. Genetic abnormalities
2. Structural abnormalities in the brain, abnormal brain tissue formation, and blood vessels such as AVMs, and brain tumors
3. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal disorders or complications, such as oxygen deficiency during birth
4. Brain infections
5. Autoimmune diseases
6. Unknown causes, which account for nearly half of all patients
Symptoms of Seizures in Young Children
Seizure symptoms can vary depending on where the abnormal electrical activity occurs in the brain. Patients may present with symptoms such as:
- Confusion
- Staring
- Muscle twitching
- Loss of consciousness
- Unusual behaviors such as laughing without reason or unexplained fear, which necessitates treatment by a specialist doctor and appropriate additional examinations
Diagnosis of Epilepsy
Diagnosing epilepsy primarily depends on the symptoms. Doctors will conduct a detailed history interview and use modern equipment to help detect abnormalities such as:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) There are rooms that can monitor brain waves to detect the origin of the electrical wave causing seizures with video (24 – Hour Video EEG Monitoring)
- Radiological examinations such as:
- Computer Tomography (CT Scan)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Detecting the origin of the seizure-causing electrical wave through various radiological methods including PET CT, SPECT, Interictal SPECT, Ictal SPECT
- Laboratory tests such as blood tests, genetic tests to find possible causes of epilepsy, etc.
Treatment of Epilepsy
There are 2 main types of epilepsy treatment
1. Antiepileptic drug therapy
2. Other treatments such as a ketogenic diet arranged by a nutrition specialist for pediatric patients, or surgery, including implanting a Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) device to treat epilepsy or brain surgery. It also includes treating other concurrent disorders, such as developmental stimulation in children with developmental delays.
Epilepsy in children is something that parents and guardians should not neglect because it can occur without the child’s awareness. Observing symptoms in young children and promptly seeking treatment at a hospital equipped with pediatricians and specialists in all fields, along with modern equipment and EEG Monitoring Units, 24-hour care and treatment can help alleviate suffering from epilepsy and reduce the disease’s severity in the long term.
Credit : https://www.bangkokhospital.com/content/epilepsy-in-children-is-more-serious-than-you-think
Epilepsy is commonly found in children, so proper and suitable treatment is required at a hospital with specialists. In Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok Sanamchan Hospital has a team of pediatric specialists in various fields who can provide care 24 hours a day with modern equipment.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:
Bangkok Sanamchan Hospital
Phone number : 034-219600 ext. 2290
Line : Bangkoksanamchan
Facebook : Bangkok Hospital Sanamchan
