Question
Today, my nephew suddenly collapsed to the ground and started convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and his pupils dilated. It didn’t stop for a while and then he got better on his own. After getting up, he felt weak all over and lacked energy, and couldn’t remember what had happened. Is this epilepsy?
Answer
Hello. Generally speaking, a single occurrence is not considered a diagnosis of epilepsy; at least two or more episodes are needed to consider a diagnosis. Of course, this should be closely combined with the findings from an electroencephalogram (EEG). If the EEG shows clear and typical epilepsy-like discharges, the diagnosis of epilepsy is more certain. In such cases, there is a high likelihood of subsequent episodes after the first one. We know that pediatric epilepsy can cause significant harm to children. If it is not treated promptly or if the treatment method is incorrect, its progression can be rapid, posing great harm to children. Therefore, it is crucial to seek timely treatment from a professional hospital and receive regular treatment.