Question
A neighbor’s child has epilepsy and is developing much slower than other children. Is this due to the epilepsy?
Answer
If a child has frequent and severe epilepsy, there is a risk of developmental delays. This is because excessive abnormal electrical activity continuously disrupts normal brain function, affecting the brain’s ability to process external information. This condition may improve through the control of epilepsy seizures. Some children with epilepsy may experience growth delays and intellectual disabilities, which are complications of epilepsy. If parents notice any abnormal behavior in their child, they should take their child to the hospital for examination and treatment. The sooner epilepsy is treated, the better, to reduce its adverse effects on a child’s growth and development.