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Neurological problems
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EPILEPSY
IN CHILDREN
My child missed one dose of his anticonvulsant. What should I do?
If only one dose has been forgotten, the next dose can be doubled except for carbamazepine where there should be a gap of a few hours between regular dose and extra dose.
What are the side effects of anticonvulsant drugs?
Certain drugs such as phenobarbitone or phenytoin can cause memory disturbance. Some drugs may cause cosmetic side effects such as increase in gums or weight gain.
My child continues to have seizures inspite of taking multiple drugs. What should be done?
20% of patients have refractory seizures inspite of being on appropriate anti-seizure medication. These patients can be considered for epilepsy surgery. Some patients may respond to diet modification. Ketogenic diet (high fat diet) is used in small group of children with resistant seizures.
What factors affect the outcome of epilepsy?
The following factors have a poor outcome:
- Epilepsy difficult to control
- More than one anti-seizure drug is required to control seizures
- Epilepsy is associated with structural brain damage
- Repeated episodes of prolonged seizures
- Associated mental retardation or cerebral palsy
- Seizures that start early (before 2 years of age).
Following factors are associated with a good outcome:
- Epilepsy that starts between 5 and 13 years of age
- Epilepsy which is inherited
- Seizures that are easily controlled and require only drug to control it.
What are the chances that seizures will recur once treatment is stopped?
Most of the patients with good seizure free period on anticonvulsants have less chances of recurrence once treatment is stopped. Following factors may increase the recurrence risk:
- Age greater than 16 years at onset of seizures
- Break through seizures on treatment
- An abnormal EEG.
What is the first aid measure at the time of seizure?
Once a patient has seizures, clear the mouth to prevent difficulty in breathing. Put nothing in the mouth as it will not prevent biting but may obstruct breathing. Turn the patient on the side so that tongue does not fall back & obstruct the airway. Do not try to hold the tongue. Call for a doctor and ambulance if seizures last more than 10 minutes.
Last created on 01-05-2005
Last updated on 18-11-2006
If only one dose has been forgotten, the next dose can be doubled except for carbamazepine where there should be a gap of a few hours between regular dose and extra dose.
What are the side effects of anticonvulsant drugs?
Certain drugs such as phenobarbitone or phenytoin can cause memory disturbance. Some drugs may cause cosmetic side effects such as increase in gums or weight gain.
My child continues to have seizures inspite of taking multiple drugs. What should be done?
20% of patients have refractory seizures inspite of being on appropriate anti-seizure medication. These patients can be considered for epilepsy surgery. Some patients may respond to diet modification. Ketogenic diet (high fat diet) is used in small group of children with resistant seizures.
What factors affect the outcome of epilepsy?
The following factors have a poor outcome:
- Epilepsy difficult to control
- More than one anti-seizure drug is required to control seizures
- Epilepsy is associated with structural brain damage
- Repeated episodes of prolonged seizures
- Associated mental retardation or cerebral palsy
- Seizures that start early (before 2 years of age).
Following factors are associated with a good outcome:
- Epilepsy that starts between 5 and 13 years of age
- Epilepsy which is inherited
- Seizures that are easily controlled and require only drug to control it.
What are the chances that seizures will recur once treatment is stopped?
Most of the patients with good seizure free period on anticonvulsants have less chances of recurrence once treatment is stopped. Following factors may increase the recurrence risk:
- Age greater than 16 years at onset of seizures
- Break through seizures on treatment
- An abnormal EEG.
What is the first aid measure at the time of seizure?
Once a patient has seizures, clear the mouth to prevent difficulty in breathing. Put nothing in the mouth as it will not prevent biting but may obstruct breathing. Turn the patient on the side so that tongue does not fall back & obstruct the airway. Do not try to hold the tongue. Call for a doctor and ambulance if seizures last more than 10 minutes.
Last created on 01-05-2005
Last updated on 18-11-2006
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