Epilepsy

Epilepsy is an abnormality of brain function which can affect consciousness, awareness, sensation or movement - or any combination. In children the majority of attacks are termed ‘idiopathic’ - which means no underlying cause can be found. An attack is termed a seizure because the sufferer appears to be `seized` by an outside force. A seizure occurs when there is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity in a part of the brain, often in a region where there has previously been damage. Initially the discharge may be local, causing twitching of one part of the body, and if the electrical activity does not spread it is a partial seizure. It may spread across the whole of the brain, causing a generalized seizure, with loss of consciousness, jerking of all limbs and possible incontinence. This is called GRAND MAL EPILEPSY. It may simply cause loss of awareness for a short period of time - a number of seconds - termed an absence attack. This is PETIT MAL EPILEPSY. Depending on the part of the brain affected, there may be odd sensations of taste, or smell, or emotion, such as fear before an attack - called an aura.

There are specific forms of epilepsy which present in infancy, childhood or adolescence, some of which do not persist into adult life: benign rolandic epilepsy is the commonest benign epilepsy of childhood, often involving seizures which occur only on sleep or waking - the seizures die out after adolescence. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy usually starts after the age of 10 and causes attacks where the child is ‘thrown to the ground’ - often shortly after waking. There can be a family history. Treatment using anti-epilepsy agents is effective, but may need to be life-long. Infantile spasms, or West’s syndrome, is described in this section.

While epileptic attacks, whatever form they take, may have no demonstrable underlying cause, they may be a manifestation of a structural abnormality (as occurs with the Sturge-Weber syndrome, where there is a ‘port wine’ stain over part of the forehead due to abnormal blood vessels - called a haemangioma, described in the blood section - and an equivalent problem affecting the blood vessels of the meninges, the lining of the brain, underneath); they may be the first sign of a brain tumour, or they may be secondary to other disease processes such as the inborn errors of metabolism (see disorders of development in the brain section).

Most cases of juvenile epilepsy can be satisfactorily managed using medication and the avoidance of factors that might bring on an attack - such as flashing lights. The aim is to treat any underlying cause and allow the child to lead a normal life.
Not all so-called seizures are epilepsy - many children suffer ‘fits, faints and funny turns’.
 
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The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.