Epilepsy – also known as epilepsy – is one of the most common neurological conditions that can occur in children. According to estimates, about 200,000 toddlers, or nearly 0.5% of the population, struggle with it in Poland. In the case of young patients, good diagnosis is crucial to distinguish epilepsy from non-epileptic seizure disorders. Important – also for parents – are modern treatment methods.
In nearly half of patients, the causes of epilepsy are difficult to determine. Rarely are they unambiguous. Neurologists point to several of them:
A large proportion of cases of childhood epilepsy have a mild course, and there is a very good chance that the seizures will pass with age. Even if they do not, they can be easily controlled and treated with drugs. According to specialists, only 3 to 10% of children face a more severe course of this disease. The most common varieties of childhood epilepsy include:
It is important to remember that the sooner potential epileptic seizures are consulted with a qualified neurologist-epileptologist, the better the chance of quieting the disease.
In the case of the youngest patients, precise and prompt diagnosis is very important. This is because in young children there is a high risk of confusing epilepsy with other non-epileptic disorders of a paroxysmal nature such as:
One of the most important tests for diagnosing epilepsy in children is the electroencephalogram, commonly known as an EEG. During the test, the bioelectrical activity of the brain is analyzed. In children, it is usually performed during sleep – preferably one that follows their natural bedtime routine. It is therefore healthiest and most comfortable for both the young patient and his parents to perform such an examination at night or, in the case of younger children, during a routine daytime nap.
However, it is important to remember that the examination itself will not make a diagnosis, but only help dispel any doubts that may arise. Therefore, it is crucial not only who performs the examination, but also who interprets the test results.
Caring for a child with epilepsy requires special attention and care. For parents, it is extremely important not only to have constant but, above all, quick contact with the doctor – no matter where they are. Especially since epileptic seizures most often occur not during a visit to the doctor’s office, but outside it. In such situations, modern methods of treatment come to the rescue, which also allow remote consultations. Such an opportunity is provided, for example, by Neuroterminal, a multifunctional platform for the care and treatment of patients from all over the country. Using the platform, parents can send and consult test results in real time, and the entire history of the disease and its treatment is in one place. The platform also allows for the uploading of recordings of epileptic seizures for evaluation by the attending physician. Such a solution gives a great sense of security, which is extremely important for parents of young patients.