Question
Parents inquire about how to check if a 1-year-old child has epilepsy.
Answer
Due to the unique physiological characteristics and changes in the nervous and fluid systems of newborns, the clinical features of pediatric epilepsy differ from those in adults. Generally, more boys than girls are affected, and the age and type of seizures are related. Neonatal epilepsy often manifests as stereotypical repetitive movements, often accompanied by abnormal eye movements. Infants under 1 year of age may develop infantile spasms, while motor seizures usually occur before the age of 6, and absence seizures are more common between the ages of 1 and 8. The onset age of other types of epilepsy is also often before the age of 10. It is recommended that parents take their child to see a doctor for a professional evaluation and examination to determine if the child has epilepsy and to receive appropriate treatment advice.