Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition of childhood, affecting approximately 4 to 10 per 1,000 of the population. Accurate diagnosis relies on a careful history to exclude nonepileptic paroxysmal events. Approximately 24% of children referred with a first seizure are found to have had a nonepileptic event. One of the main questions people with new-onset seizures have is “What has caused this?” The range of possible aetiologies for seizures is diverse, and a careful investigation to determine the underlying cause is needed.
In our first seizure clinic we will evaluate your child and answer the following questions:
- Is this a seizure or a non-epileptic event?
- If this is not a seizure, what is it?
- If this is a seizure, what type of a seizure this is?
- provoked,
- unprovoked or
- symptomatic
- What can we do about it? We will provide advice on
- lifestyle
- seizure safety, and
- what to do should further seizures occur
Investigations we commonly ask for are:
- A brain MRI
- An EEG
- Routine Bloods and urine tests
- Genetics
- Autoimmune testing
- Lumbar puncture
- A referral to cardiology
Useful websites:
Epilepsy Foundation: www.epilepsy.com
Epilepsy Diagnosis: www.epilepsydiagnosis.org
The Channel: https://thechannel.org.uk – For young people living with epilepsy
Epilepsy Alarms: https://www.epilepsyalarms.co.uk