Epileptic seizure

Another long-term consequence that is possible after a cerebral hemorrhage is the epileptic seizure. According to new studies, it is assumed that about 10% of those affected suffer from epileptic seizures in the course of their lives as a result of a cerebral haemorrhage. Most seizures occur within the first three days.

If several seizures occur even after a longer period of time, this is called a diagnosis of epilepsy. It has been proven that prophylactic administration of antiepileptic drugs has not led to a significant reduction in the number of such seizures and is therefore not useful. The exact mechanism that leads from a cerebral hemorrhage and the associated brain damage to epilepsy is still not understood in detail. However, it is assumed that the damaged brain areas cause other areas to show increased activity or that the damaged areas can no longer be adequately inhibited. This leads to an ever-increasing arousal, which can ultimately end in an epileptic seizure.

Depression

The long-term consequences of a cerebral hemorrhage in children, as well as in adults, depend primarily on the size, localization and the duration until the start of therapy. In contrast to adults, however, the consequences of such a bleeding can be, in addition to the acute failures, developmental disorders, which often appear only after several months or years and are usually not predictable. Such developmental disorders include not only linguistic and motor development, but above all cognitive limitations, such as poor concentration or reduced intelligence.

Severe cerebral hemorrhages can lead to more severe developmental limitations, which can even lead to severe disability of the child. It is therefore important to visit the paediatrician or neurologist more often in the following years with children and babies who have suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, so that such consequential damage can be detected as early as possible.

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