Epilepsy

While epilepsy is a fairly common pediatric condition, knowing your child could have further seizures is unsettling. Our physicians have the pediatric neurology expertise to thoroughly evaluate your child and find a treatment that works. We protect your child’s brain, as well as their ability to keep learning and thriving.

What is epilepsy?

Doctors diagnose epilepsy when a child has two or more seizures that take place for reasons that aren’t always clear.

Seizures result from disrupted electrical signals in the brain, though epilepsy isn’t always the culprit. A child may have a single seizure growing up, alarming parents but unrelated to epilepsy and not causing harm. At other times, seizures are caused by other, treatable medical conditions such as a brain tumor or brain swelling called hydrocephalus.

The seizures involved with epilepsy frequently have specific triggers such as flashing lights or lack of sleep. And they fall into two general categories with further seizure types within each group:

• Focal (partial) seizures: Take place on one side of the brain, only affect certain muscles and come on after a warning sign of epilepsy called an aura
• Generalized seizures: Affect both sides of the brain and typically cause a child to lose consciousness

What causes epilepsy?

Sometimes, epilepsy is caused by brain damage from infection or injury, or from the brain not forming properly in the womb. The condition is also associated with developmental disorders such as autism and Down syndrome and with cerebral palsy, a movement disorder.

But many times, the reason a child develops epilepsy remains unknown. Researchers continue to study the condition and believe genetics likely play a large role. They already know that epilepsy can run in families.

Epilepsy symptoms & signs of seizures

Visible shaking from a seizure is the most noticeable symptom of epilepsy. But sometimes seizures and signs of epilepsy in infants and children are subtle and easy for parents to miss. Younger children may not realize what’s happening or may not have the ability to explain it.

Signs of epilepsy in infants include:

• Body jerks or leg movements like they’re pedaling a bike
• Changes in breathing
• Lack of alertness or inability to focus eyes
• Stiffened body
• Unusual facial expressions

Signs of a seizure in older children include:

• Acting confused
• Blinking their eyes rapidly
• Losing muscle control and falling over
• Staring

Zoning out in the middle of eating, talking or playing can also be a sign of epilepsy.

Epilepsy diagnosis

You can help doctors accurately diagnose your child by noting any symptoms you observe and taking videos of any seizures you witness.

During your child’s evaluation, a specialist from our neurology program asks about your child’s symptoms, seizures and overall health. Your child may also undergo tests and may ultimately get diagnosed with a particular epilepsy syndrome. Syndromes are based in part on the type of seizures and when they began.

Evaluations for epilepsy may include:

• Blood test: We take a small sample of your child’s blood to check for indications of genetic conditions, metabolic disorders, exposure to chemicals, or unusual levels of sugar or iron.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): During this painless test, we place small metal pads (electrodes) on your child’s head. The electrodes show us patterns of the brain’s electrical activity. We may perform EEG as an outpatient procedure or keep your child in the hospital for a few days. We may also give your child a special monitoring backpack to wear home.
• Scans: We may perform imaging such as MRI or computed tomography (CT) to see details of your child’s brain.