Here follows a list of causes, symptoms, dianosing criteria, and medical treatment for childhood epilepsy....
I. Causes of Childhood Epilepsy
- illnesses such as meningitis or encephalitis
- malformation of the brain (congenital)
- heredity
- difficult birth
- head injury
- no particular reason-- idiopathic
II. Symptoms can Vary (like Adults)
III. Diagnosing Childhood Epilepsy
- symptoms analysis/ prior head trauma
- brain scans
- EEG--electroencephalogram (shows abnormal brain waves)
IV. Medical Treatment
- anti-seizure medication (many children stay on indefinitely or until they are seizure-free for 2 years)
- avoiding seizure-provoking elements (lack of sleep, flashing lights, certain noises, video game graphics, and stress, to name only a handful)
- brain surgery (extreme cases-- most children do not require this)
- vagal nerve stimulator (an implant to control seizures)
- some children outgrow seizures when they reach adulthood
For more information, read What is an Epileptic Seizure? and Epilepsy Support Groups.
For related information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.
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The copyright of the article Childhood Epilepsy in Neurological Illness is owned by Jennifer Gerics. Permission to republish Childhood Epilepsy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
