What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a type of
brain disorder which leads to a sudden change in how the brain works. It
can cause people to have repeated (several or many) seizures called epileptic
fits (convulsions), for short periods of time. The seizures happen because
there is an uncontrollable electrical discharge from the nerve cells in the
brain. This may create a short term disturbance in the way the brain
works and cause odd sensations and abnormal movement or behaviour.
Epiliptic seizures are not
usually dangerous. But, a person can be at risk if they are in a dangerous
environment (eg swimming in a pool or beach, driving a car), or if they become
unconscious. Injuries can happen at school, at work, at home or other places.
One child in every 20
will have a seizure during their childhood, often with a high temperature
(febrile convulsion). This is not epilepsy. Most children who have febrile
convulsions do not go on to have epilepsy. Only about one in 200 children
have epilepsy.
Children with epilepsy can
usually lead a normal and active life but will need to take be
careful with certain activities.
It is important to know
what to do and how to help your child if they have a seizure.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of the
seizure depend on what parts of the brain are affected. What happens during a
seizure lets doctors know what parts of the brain are involved.
Signs and symptoms may
include:
- Sensory disturbances
- is when you/your child experiences tingling, numbness, changes to
what you/your child sees, hears or smells, or unusual feelings
that may be hard to describe.
- Abnormal body
movements - limp, stiff or jerking movements that may come with loss of
consciousness and shallow or jerky breathing
- Abnormal behaviour -
is when you/your child may be confused or have automatic movements such as
picking at clothing, chewing and swallowing or appearing afraid
- All of the above
Types of seizures
There are many different
types of seizures and they can be generally classified into two groups:
Focal
seizures
Focal seizures happen
when the seizure activity begins in only one part of the brain. It usually
affects one side of the body and you/your child may or may not lose
consciousness.
These include:
- Simple partial
seizures
- Complex partial
seizures
Generalised seizures
Generalised seizures
happen when the seizure activity begins all over the brain. The person's
conscious state is always affected.
These include:
- Tonic-clonic
seizures, sometimes called 'grand mal' or major seizures.
- Absence seizures,
sometimes called 'petit mal' or starring seizures.
- Myoclonic, atonic and tonic seizures.
Diagnosis of epilepsy
It is important that
your/your child's epilepsy is correctly diagnosed and treated by a children's
doctor (paediatrician) or a doctor who specialises in childhood disorders of
the brain (paediatric neurologist). To diagnose epilepsy the doctor will need a
very detailed description of your child's seizures, medical history,
development, learning and behaviour. A home video recording of your child's
seizures is very helpful if they happen often or are predictable.
Tests
Special test are needed in some children with
epilepsy. Your child's doctor will talk to you about the following tests if
they are needed.
- Blood tests:to check your child's
sugar, calcium, magnesium and salt levels.
- EEG:is a recording of
brainwave activity. (More information on EEG factsheet).
- CT or MRI:gives us pictures of
the brain. (More information on MRI or CT factsheets).
- Video EEG monitoring:detailed EEG done in
hospital. (More information on Video
EEG monitoring factsheet).
What
causes epilepsy in children?
Many different
disorders of the brain may be associated with epilepsy.
For some
patients the epileptic disorder is congenital, that is, the child is born with
the predisposition to have epilepsy. In other patients, the epileptic disorder
is acquired, as a result of brain damage that occurred after birth.
The congenital
epilepsies could be the result of the child having a gene that is responsible
for the epileptic disorder; these are the genetic types of epilepsy.
Alternatively, congenital epilepsy may be the result of factors that interfere
with the development of the brain during gestation, resulting in brain
malformations.
In acquired
epileptic disorders, the damage might occur at the time of birth, for example
the case of newborns that have oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery; or intracranial
bleeding, as seen in some children born prematurely. Also, the brain damage may
occur any time after birth. For example, epilepsy could be a complication of
infections in the brain (meningitis, encephalitis), head injuries with brain
damage, brain tumors, or intracranial bleeding.
Are seizures bad for children?
Presently
there is no indication that short-lasting seizures will result in any brain
damage. However, prolonged seizures, especially generalized tonic-clonic
seizures, in some cases could result in brain damage, but this is very unusual.
Although brain
damage is not likely, children can be injured at the time of the seizures. For
example, in the atonic seizures there is a sudden loss of muscle power and, if
this happens when the patient is standing, it is followed by a fall that might
result in injuries to the face and/or mouth. Similar types of physical injuries
can happen with other seizures.
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