Question
What are the effective treatments for pediatric epilepsy?
Answer
Hello, as children are in a stage of growth and development, they are particularly susceptible to diseases. Especially in recent years, the incidence of pediatric epilepsy has been rising, with an estimated 6 million children with epilepsy in China. Frequent seizures can severely affect the brain development of affected children, leading to intellectual decline, mood instability, irritability, and extreme behavior. Experts at the Hangzhou Chang’an Epilepsy Research Institute indicate that pediatric epilepsy is a complex neurological syndrome caused by excessive discharge of brain neurons, resulting in episodic disorganization of brain function. Common symptoms include muscle spasms and consciousness disorders, and may also be accompanied by sensory, emotional, behavioral, or autonomic nervous system abnormalities. So, what should be taken into consideration when treating pediatric epilepsy? First and foremost, epilepsy is not a mental illness, nor is it an infectious disease, nor is it incurable. For most children with epilepsy, complete control of the condition is possible. Treatment should begin with a single medication, and as long as medication is taken regularly and regular check-ups are conducted, approximately 65% to 80% of pediatric epilepsy patients can control their condition. However, for children with frequent seizures and accompanying neurological or behavioral abnormalities, the prognosis is poorer. These cases include congenital brain developmental abnormalities (such as hemispheric macroencephaly, focal cortical developmental abnormalities, etc.) or epilepsy caused by perinatal brain injury.