Question
What are the early symptoms of pediatric epilepsy?
Answer
The early symptoms of pediatric epilepsy primarily include generalized tonic-clonic seizures (major seizures) and absence seizures (minor seizures). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness, convulsions, and may be accompanied by screaming, bruising, urinary incontinence, tongue bite, blisters in the mouth, or foaming at the mouth, and dilated pupils. After the seizure, the patient may enter a state of sleepiness, and upon waking may experience dizziness, irritability, and fatigue. Absence seizures manifest as a sudden interruption in mental activity, loss of consciousness, and may be accompanied by myoclonus or automatism, lasting a few seconds to more than ten seconds. Pediatric epilepsy may also have other common clinical manifestations, such as the appearance of slow or rapid slow waves on an electroencephalogram. If the seizure lasts for a long time, it may lead to coma and endanger life.