Question
Does pediatric epilepsy harm a child’s intelligence?
Answer
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder caused by various etiologies, characterized by excessive discharge of brain neurons, leading to recurrent, episodic, and transient central nervous system dysfunction. Epilepsy can occur in all age groups, but it has a relatively higher incidence in children and adolescents. Generally, patients with epilepsy without severe or progressive brain etiologies have learning abilities and average life expectancy similar to those of the general population. However, the sudden loss of consciousness during seizures may lead to accidents, and persistent states can be life-threatening. If diagnosed early and treated with long-term, regular medication, about 70% of patients can achieve complete control of seizures after medication treatment.