Q.69. How does epilepsy in children differ from adults?

Ans: As children are in the growing period of life and also attending the school, frequent attacks of seizure, larger doses of antiepileptic drugs may affect the ability to learn. However it should be emphasized that in a great majority of children where the seizures are well under control epilepsy does not affect the leaving.

Q.70. In what types of seizures are peculiar to children.?

Ans: "Absence" attacks are frequent and occurs only in children , which require to be recognized and treated appropriately.

Q.71. What is febrile seizures ?

Ans: Febrile Seizures are commonly seen in children in the age group of 6 months to 5 years, but largely in the second year of life. As the name denotes the seizures are always accompanied by fever, usually within few hours of starting the fever. The seizures are generalized and brief in duration lasting for less than 2 minutes and the child's development is normal. Febrile seizures are a very benign condition and does NOT warrant long term or short term antiepileptic drugs. All that is required is to bring down the fever by sponging the body and the forehead and use drugs to reduce temperature like crocin syrup.

Q.72. Does seizure medication affect the behavior of the child ?

Ans: Largely it does not. However if the child has brain damage or the drug dosage is higher it might affect.

Q.73. Does epilepsy or the drugs cause learning problems?

Ans: In a great majority the answer is NO . However as mentioned above the earlier brain damage or high doses of drugs can temporarily affect learning.

Q.74. Can a child with epilepsy use computer & video games ?

Ans: Certainly yes ; neither of them cause seizures.

Q.75. Should I tell the teacher about my childs epilepsy ?

Ans: Yes it is required for two reasons (a) for the teacher to handle appropriately when the child has an attack (b) Teacher should note down and inform the parents if there are any seizure occurring during school hours.

Q.76. What do most parents report during the admission of their child?

Ans: Many parents report that they do not disclose to the school authorities about their child's epilepsy, as they fear not being granted admission

Q.77. How should the parents be encouraged in order to get their child with epilepsy admission in a school?

Ans: Parents must be encouraged to disclose about the epilepsy of their child and the school authorities must be taken into confidence. A rapport with the class teacher must be established to ensure that proper care is given to the child in the event of a seizure.

Q.78. Can a child with epilepsy participate in gym class and field trips?

Ans: If a person is free from seizures he/she and is on antiepileptic drugs, most of the sports and leisure activities can be undertaken. The problem arises when the seizures are frequent and poorly controlled. For them any type of activities, which may endanger their life due to an accident resulting from a seizure, should be avoided.

Q.79. How does epilepsy affect a child's education?

Ans:. Epilepsy is common among children. As it hits most important formative years of the majority of patients, education gets hampered, especially when parents are over protective and teachers are either non-supportive or neutral and lack a positive attitude. A cordial atmosphere is bound to stimulate children having epilepsy to study inspite of limitations due to seizures. In addition there are several " epileptic syndromes" which are specific to pediatric age group and some benign self limit , disorders like benign rolandic epilepsy, febrile seizure.

Q.80. Does Epilepsy cause brain damage?

Ans: The main concern is whether epilepsy is occurring on a background of normal development of brain or not. This is because epilepsy in brain damaged children is difficult to control and also in view of the associated brain damage (cerebral palsy) the growth and development - both mental and physical are affected.
It should be remembered that epilepsy or the antiepileptic drugs do not cause brain damage.

Q.81. Can children with epilepsy take part in sports and attend to regular schools?

Ans: In a great majority the epilepsy is well controlled and hence they should be treated like normal children in all spheres of life- including sports, schooling.