Question
Can pediatric secondary epilepsy be cured?
Answer
Childhood epilepsy is a common neurological syndrome in childhood, caused by brain dysfunction due to excessive discharge of neurons in the brain. Primary epilepsy accounts for about 2/3 of cases in children, while 1/3 is secondary epilepsy, which is caused by various organic changes in the brain. The triggers of childhood epilepsy are diverse, including central nervous system infections, brain developmental malformations, cerebral hypoxia-ischemic diseases, metabolic disorders, and poisoning. Treatment usually involves surgery, where the lesion is identified through precise electroencephalogram monitoring and then destroyed. However, since the lesion may overlap with functional areas controlling language, sensation, and movement, surgery may lead to functional loss. But it’s important to note that the brain function of children has a high degree of plasticity, and some functions may be restored through rehabilitation and other means after surgery. Therefore, for epilepsy patients who are suitable for surgery, early surgical treatment has a better effect.