Epilepsy in children

As in adults, the forms of epilepsy in children are divided into idiopathic, usually with a genetic background, and symptomatic forms. The symptomatic epilepsies are mostly based on changes in the cerebral cortex, inflammatory diseases or complications during birth. In children, they are associated with an increased risk of developmental disorders up to severe neurological impairments.

Idiopathic epilepsies usually have fewer complications in terms of development. For example, children with generalized epilepsy, i.e. epilepsy that affects the entire brain, usually do not show any abnormalities and can be well adjusted with medication. In contrast, the idiopathic focal form, i.e. the form that starts from a so-called epileptic focus, leads to abnormalities in some patients at school.

This is especially true for the development of speech and impairments of the ability to concentrate. Thus, all children who have been diagnosed with epilepsy should receive adequate therapy to minimize the risk of developmental disorders. In addition, it is especially important to carry out comprehensive diagnostics in children who are suspected of having an epileptic seizure, since there are many other causes, such as inflammatory processes, which can lead to a seizure and require proper therapy in addition to the actual disease of epilepsy.

Epilepsy in babies

In principle, the risk of an epileptic seizure in newborns is very low. However, this changes if babies are born too early. For example, in about one in ten babies born prematurely, a seizure occurs within the first 24 hours.

These seizures are summarized under the collective term of newborn seizures. They are among the most common forms of epilepsy that occur within the first year of life: The reason for the increased likelihood of seizures in premature babies is that the risk of complications during birth is greatly increased, which can lead to increased bleeding or lack of oxygen.These can cause brain damage, which can then cause a seizure. Other causes of newborn seizures are: Depending on which of these factors is the cause of the seizure, a different prognosis is assumed.

In general, however, it can be said that about half of all newborns with seizures go through a normal development with appropriate therapy. However, one third of all babies develop chronic epilepsy during their lifetime.

Early myoclonic encephalopathy
The Othara Syndrome
The West Syndrome
The Dravet Syndrome.
Traumas
Cerebral infarctions
Infections
Metabolic disorders
Malformations of the brain