What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain, causing seizures.

If your child has been diagnosed with epilepsy it means they’ve had at least one seizure and are likely to have more . It is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can change a child’s awareness, behaviour, body movements.

If a child has one seizure, it doesn’t always mean she has epilepsy. Most children who have a single seizure don’t go on to have any more. Epilepsy isn’t usually diagnosed until after two or more seizures.

What causes epilepsy?

There are some things that make a child more likely to have epileptic seizures. These include:

• history of epilepsy in immediate family members
• Genetic, behavioural  and  structural changes in the
• brain injury 

Simple febrile convulsions are not considered as epilepsy, however, children with febrile convulsions that last longer than 15 minutes or happen many times have higher risk for epilepsy..

Seizures in children at risk of epilepsy might be triggered by flashing lights or by looking at patterns on a TV or cinema screen.

In about half of all children with epilepsy, we don’t know what causes the condition.

Types of epilepsy

Children with epilepsy might have many different types of seizures:  The type of seizure depends on where the abnormal electrical activity in the brain comes from.

There are two main groups of seizures – focal seizures and generalised seizures.

Focal seizures that starts in only part of the brain and therefore, only part of the body is involved.

Generalised seizures that involve the whole brain.

 
Seizures may cause the muscles to get stiff or floppy and or may cause arms and legs jerks.

Some seizures may cause drooling and wetting to the child.
Another form of seizurs are absence seizures when children might look like they’re briefly staring into space and seem unaware of what’s going on around them.

Management of epileptic seizures

If you think your child is having a seizure and has lost consciousness, it’s important that you stay calm and remove any harmful objects so she doesn’t injure herself.

Place your child on a soft surface, lying in the recovery position on his side. Stay with him and give him reassurance.

If it’s your child’s first seizure, watch exactly what happens, so you can describe it later. If you have a smartphone or camera, take a video of the seizure.

Time the seizure.

Once the seizure has stopped, place your child on a soft surface, lying in the recovery position on her side to keep her airway open.

When to see your doctor about epileptic seizures

It’s important for your child to see a doctor or go to a hospital emergency department if:

• it’s your child’s first seizure

• your child has several or repeated seizures

• you’re not sure whether your child has had a seizure

• your child starts having seizures more often than is usual for him.

Ask for an ambulance if a seizure lasts longer than 2-3 minutes.

Tests for epilepsy

If your GP thinks your child might have epilepsy, the doctor will usually refer your child to a paediatric neurologist for further investigation.

The doctor will order blood tests and an EEG. Your doctor might also organise a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain.

Treatment for epilepsy

If your doctor prescribes anticonvulsant medication for your child, the aim is to let your child have a normal life. But this medication might have some side effects. If your child is taking anticonvulsant medication, she’ll need to see a doctor regularly.

If medication doesn’t work, your doctor might talk with you about other therapies, including a ketogenic diet or surgical options.

You should tell everyone involved in your child’s daily care – for example, child care staff and teachers – that your child has epilepsy. They need to understand what this means, as well as how to handle a seizure if it happens. Encourage your child to wear a wrist bracelet or pendant that lets people know he has epilepsy.

Prevention of epileptic seizures

Regular meals, adequate sleep and exercise might help to reduce the risk of seizures.

Your child should avoid things that she knows trigger her seizures, like flashing lights, overtiredness, hunger or television.

Always supervise your child when he’s swimming, bathing or doing activities  that involve heights such as cycling, climbing etc

Watching your child having a seizure can be very distressing. Contacting an epilepsy support group might help you feel less fearful about your child’s condition.