Question
What are the differences between adult epilepsy and pediatric epilepsy?
Answer
The types of epileptic seizures in children and adults differ due to the unique developmental and anatomical biochemical characteristics of a child’s brain. For example, a child’s central nervous system is not yet mature, with unstable neurons and an imbalanced neurotransmitter release, making them more sensitive to stimuli and seizures. Therefore, the types of seizures in pediatric epilepsy are different from those in adults, with some types appearing only in pediatric epilepsy, such as absence seizures and infantile spasms. Moreover, the treatment for pediatric epilepsy is different from that for adults because children are in a stage of growth and development with faster metabolism, requiring larger doses of medication. When treating pediatric epilepsy, it is not only important to control seizures but also to comprehensively regulate the child’s body to ensure healthy growth and not affect future development.