Pulling the Plug on Children's Seizures -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy affects more than 300,000 children under the age of 15 as well as 3 million Americans and 50 million people worldwide. Atonic seizures also known as drop attacks, astatic, or akinetic seizures produce an abrupt loss of muscle tone, head drops, loss of posture, or sudden collapse. In some children, only their head suddenly drops. After a few seconds the child recovers, and regains consciousness. Because atonic seizures occur without warning, seizures can result in injuries to the head and face. (Source: www.epilepsyfoundation.org)

LIVING WITH IT: During an atomic seizure a standing or walking child may suddenly pitch forward without demonstrating any protective reflexes. It usually lasts for about 15 seconds. Children who are sitting or lying down may experience head bobbing or rolling. (Source: www.uihealthcare.com)

CAUSES: Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in 50% of patients with the condition. In the other half of patients, the condition may be traced to various factors including; genetic influence, head trauma, medical disorders, dementia, diseases, prenatal injury, and developmental disorders.
(Source: www.mayoclinic.com)

CHANGING THE ODDS: Protective headgear, medications, and surgery are common treatments for epilepsy. Most experts recommend that a patient who continues to have seizures after two or more different medication trials should have an evaluation at an epilepsy treatment program. When tests consistently point to a specific area of the brain where the seizures begin, curative surgery is performed. With surgery the doctors will disconnect part of the brain depending on what area the seizures are being caused from. There are five main steps to a temporal lobectomy, and the surgery generally takes approximately 4 hours. Patients typically can resume their normal activities after a month. (Source: www.mayfieldclinic.com) MORE
Pulling the Plug on Children's Seizures -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information

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Pulling the Plug on Children's Seizures -- In Depth Doctor's Interview | Medical News and Health Information