CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Drug-resistant epilepsy in children: Know the treatment options now available
New Delhi. Some children with epilepsy continue to have repeated seizures despite taking the right medicines. According to experts, if seizures are not controlled even after the use of two appropriate medicines, it is called drug-resistant epilepsy. In such a situation, instead of only continuing to change medicines, the child may need detailed evaluation and specialist treatment.
According to paediatric neurologists, repeated seizures can affect a child’s learning, speech, behaviour, studies and overall development. Therefore, it is important for such children to be seen at a specialist epilepsy centre. Tests may include an electroencephalogram to understand the type and cause of seizures, an MRI of the brain and, if required, genetic testing.
When medicines do not provide adequate benefit, options such as epilepsy surgery, nerve stimulation treatment and the ketogenic diet may be considered according to the child’s condition. In some cases, before surgery, doctors identify which part of the brain the seizures are starting from and whether that area can be treated safely.
Experts say treatment is different for every child. Therefore, parents should not stop epilepsy medicines or change the dosage without a doctor’s advice. In cases of repeated seizures, timely consultation with a paediatric neurologist can help decide the next treatment options.
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