The first signs of epilepsy in a child. Epilepsy in a child - we control the situation: what parents need to know. Instrumental methods for diagnosing a disease

Signs of epilepsy in children, noticed for the first time, seriously scare parents. Violent convulsive seizures, which suddenly seize a healthy-looking baby, give the impression of a bolt from the blue.

The first thing moms and dads need to do is pull themselves together and examine the baby. Then you need to learn the maximum about epilepsy in children and master the techniques of effective assistance to the patient. It is important to understand: the disease is severe, insidious, but can be controlled and treated when adequate conditions are created for this.

What is epilepsy in children? Medical studies have shown that this pathology has a neurological chronic character and is caused by abnormal activity of the brain. It affects every one of the hundred inhabitants of our planet. Children with epilepsy are detected several times more often than adults. The main target of epilepsy is children up to a year old.

The mechanism of development of epileptic seizures is associated with an increase in the bioelectrical activity of its functional structures, neurons, in a certain area of the brain. These cells form a focus of congestive pathological excitation, the so-called epileptic focus. When, under the influence of certain causes, the bioelectric impulse is discharged, activating the cells of the entire brain, an epileptic attack occurs.

The child falls unconscious, his body shaking in convulsions. After a few minutes, the tension is replaced by muscle weakness. This is a manifestation of the fact that the electrical activity of neurons fades, goes into a "sleep" mode. With the return of consciousness, the patient does not remember what happened.

Causes of the disease

To choose the right strategy for correcting the disease, you need to find out its etiology. Doctors distinguish several causes of epilepsy in children:

Heredity. Scientists were able to identify the substance - dopamine - which is responsible for the inhibition of overexcited neurons. Its volume is programmed in the genes: if parents have epileptic seizures, then there is a chance that their offspring will inherit them.
Malformations of the fetal brain. Everything affects the health of a future person in the womb: at what age she conceived (middle-aged first-born women are included in the risk group), what she was ill with, how she was treated, whether she abused drugs, alcohol. Poisoning the fetus with toxic substances is the main cause of brain pathologies.
Birth trauma. The causes of epilepsy often lie in the excesses that accompany the birth process. The baby's brain can be damaged by midwife's forceps, prolonged labor, squeezing the newborn's neck with the umbilical cord.
Inflammatory diseases of the brain and its membranes: encephalitis, meningitis, arachnoiditis.
Febrile convulsions with colds can reveal epilepsy in children with aggravated heredity.
Craniocerebral injuries. The application of mechanical blows to the head often leads to the appearance of epileptogenic foci in the brain.
Volumetric neoplasms. Tumors that press on the brain can cause seizures in children.
Disorders of metabolic processes, manifested by hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia.
Cerebral blood flow disorders.
Teen addiction to ephedrine, amphetamines and other drugs.

Important: the inflammatory disease "meningitis" can be fatal! It is very important to be able to recognize it in time. How? Read the answer.

Varieties of the disease

Depending on the pathogenesis, epilepsy in childhood is differentiated by specialists into three groups:

idiopathic: it is stated if the symptoms of the disease appear as a result of a genetic factor, but without significant pathologies in the brain;
symptomatic: it is considered a consequence of brain defects due to developmental anomalies, injuries, neoplasms;
cryptogenic: fixed by physicians in cases where the disease appeared due to unidentified causes.

Symptomatic epilepsy in children differs in the area of localization of the pathogenic focus.

And depending on the localization thereof, it manifests itself in several types:

frontal;
parietal;
temporal;
occipital;
chronic progressive.

The listed types of epilepsy declare themselves in different ways. For example, the frontal comes only at night; the temporal is characterized by blackouts of consciousness without a pronounced convulsive symptom.

Finding out the causes of the disease and its type helps to choose an adequate line of struggle with it. However, this is not enough for successful healing: it is important to recognize the first signs of epilepsy in a child in a timely manner.

The main signs of the disease

Symptoms of epilepsy in children are sometimes mistaken by unlucky adults for excessive motor activity. This is the main reason for the late detection of a dangerous disease. Another common mistake is to think that an epileptic seizure can only be manifested by convulsions and foaming at the mouth.

In order not to miss precious time, parents of babies need to have a detailed understanding of the clinical picture by which childhood epilepsy is recognized.

Its features are quite diverse:

Generalized seizures. They begin with an alarming harbinger - the aura. At this stage, the patient feels something like a breath running through the body or other unusual sensations. Then comes the stage of sharp muscle tension and breath holding - the child falls screaming. The turn of convulsions comes, the eyes roll back, foam comes out of the mouth, spontaneous urination and bowel movements can be observed. Convulsive twitching can cover the entire body or muscle group. The attack lasts a maximum of 20 minutes. When the convulsions stop, the patient comes to his senses for a few moments and immediately falls asleep in exhaustion.
Non-convulsive (small) seizures. These not always noticeable attacks of epilepsy in children are called absence seizures. It all starts with the fact that the baby with an absent look suddenly freezes. It happens that the patient's eyes are closed, the head is thrown back. For 15-20 seconds he does not perceive anything. Coming out of a painful stupor, he returns to interrupted cases. From the outside, such pauses may seem thoughtful or distracted.
Atonic seizures. The manifestation of attacks of this kind is a sudden loss of consciousness and muscle relaxation. Often they are mistaken for fainting. The periodicity of such states should alert.
Child spasm. Epilepsy in a baby can be manifested by a sharp raising of the arms to the chest, an involuntary tilt forward of the head and body when the legs are straightened. This happens most often with children 2-4 years old when they wake up in the morning. The seizure lasts for several seconds. By the age of 5, the alarming manifestations of the disease either disappear or take another form.
Speech disorder for several minutes while maintaining consciousness and the ability to move.
Frequent nightmares that cause the baby to wake up screaming and crying.
Sleepwalking.
Regular headaches, sometimes causing nausea and vomiting.
Sensory hallucinations: visual, olfactory, auditory, gustatory.

The last four signs do not necessarily indicate an epilepsy disease. If such phenomena began and began to be repeated repeatedly, parents should conduct a neuropsychiatric examination of the child.

The question of how to recognize epilepsy in a child under one year old is extremely important. In infancy, the disease often passes atypically. Parents need to be extremely attentive to the condition and behavior of the newborn.

For the initial stage of epilepsy in children under one year, the following symptoms are characteristic:

sharp fading;
cessation of swallowing movements;
tilting the head;
trembling of the eyelids;
empty, seeing nothing;
complete non-contact.

This is followed by loss of consciousness and convulsions, not always accompanied by spontaneous defecation and urination. It should be noted that epilepsy in children under one year old has a kind of prelude and completion. Harbingers of an attack are increased tearfulness, excessive excitability, febrile temperature. After the end of the seizure, the baby does not always sleep.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis of epilepsy in children involves a phased examination of a small patient:

History taking: clarification of the moment of onset of the first seizures, accompanying symptoms of an attack, conditions of intrauterine development and childbirth, the presence of neurological diseases and addictions in parents.
The main instrumental technique: an electroencephalographic study with video recording, which provides complete information about the bioelectrical activity of the brain and the occurrence of defects in its structure.
Additional methods carried out to clarify the diagnosis and establish the cause of the disease: MRI and CT of the brain, blood tests to determine the metabolic and immune status, lumbar puncture.
Studies within the framework of differential diagnosis: ophthalmoscopy, ultrasound of the cardiovascular system and other examinations prescribed by the attending physician.

Such an extensive diagnostic complex allows you to confidently confirm or exclude the presence of epilepsy.

On the way to healing

To the question of whether epilepsy is treated in children, today's medicine gives a positive answer. The success of therapy depends both on the professionalism of physicians and on the mood of the parents.

The latter should be prepared for the fact that it will take a long time to treat epilepsy in a son or daughter, without interrupting the course for a day.

What is required from parents:

provide the baby with a diet with fluid and salt restriction;
organize a rational regimen of the day with leisure breaks;
eliminate stressful situations;
limit the child's access to the TV and computer;
make it a habit to walk in the fresh air, but not allow prolonged exposure to the sun, self-bathing in a pond or bath;
encourage the child to engage in safe sports: badminton, tennis, cross-country skiing, etc.

During a seizure, you need to put the baby on his side in a safe place. You can not restrain convulsions, open your jaws, give medicine or water. The main task of the parents of an epileptic is to prevent him from harming himself.

Drug treatment of epilepsy in children is determined taking into account age characteristics and the patient's condition. The main role is given to anticonvulsants.

With a symptomatic form of pathology caused by a tumor in the brain, the patient can be cured surgically. Before the operation, a consultation of a neurosurgeon, a neurologist and a psychotherapist gathers, the risks of invasive intervention and the opinion of the parents are taken into account.

If the danger of the operation is too high, the question “how to treat the patient?” decided in favor of drug therapy.

Disease prognosis

In 80% of cases, persistent and long-term treatment of epilepsy in children leads to getting rid of a serious illness. The immediate environment of small epileptics should help them develop normally and find their place in society. Patience, wisdom and love of parents play a colossal role in this.

Epilepsy in children can occur due to a genetic predisposition. Because of what exactly such a predisposition appears, it is still extremely difficult for scientists to say. However, another fact cannot be denied: gene change is not the only thing that can cause the ailment under discussion.

There are several groups of diseases that can also provoke the development of epilepsy in a small patient.

Pregnancy that had significant complications in the form of hypoglycemia or hypoxia.
The presence of any lesions in the child's brain (a lesion can be understood as bleeding, as well as a cyst or other neoplasm of any nature).
Diseases caused by infections. These include meningitis or encephalitis, as well as the frequent occurrence of common SARS.

Symptoms

The first signs of epilepsy in a small child can manifest themselves at a very early age. What parents should pay attention to, what should alert them:

a somnambulist child who wanders at night, and in the morning does not remember at all about his nocturnal adventures;
childhood nightmares;
scream in your sleep.

If a child has a motor seizure, it will be expressed by the following phenomena and actions:

short-term convulsions of one part of the body or convulsions of the whole body;
uncontrolled emptying;
biting the tongue;
headache after the attack is over.

In addition to motor in a small patient, a so-called sensitive attack may occur. With such an attack, one part of the body begins to tingle and burn. Often this sensation “jumps” to another part of the body and continues on it.

The attack can also be non-convulsive. Its features and distinguishing features are as follows:

fading of the baby's body,
fading gaze,
lack of any physical activity.

The child seems to be numb. Such attacks are more typical for newborns and infants.

Diagnosis of epilepsy in a child

Diagnosis of the disease in childhood begins with a conversation with the patient, as well as his parents. After that, the doctor, as a rule, prescribes the necessary diagnostic procedures:

The latter method, thanks to multiple sensors attached to the head, makes it possible to fix epileptic activity in different parts of the brain.

Complications

In an epileptic seizure, the child may fall and be seriously injured. Due to the disease, the baby may develop mental deficiency. Epilepsy can provoke various mental disorders. The child may become emotionally unstable, prone to depression. During a seizure, the baby may choke on vomit or suffocate due to the tongue falling into the airways.

The drugs that the baby takes can also provoke the appearance of unpleasant consequences:

the baby may become lethargic and drowsy;
his memory may be impaired;
disorders in puberty, osteopathy may develop;
the child may suffer from anorexia or diarrhea;
drugs can provoke gingival hyperplasia;
dysfunction of the pancreas;
allergies (most often rashes on the skin);
doctors can diagnose muscular dystrophy, as well as severe edema;
A very young child may develop respiratory distress syndrome.

Treatment

Epilepsy can only be treated by a doctor. Parents should not try to save the child on their own using various folk methods. Parental involvement is extremely important for a speedy and successful recovery, but only a medical specialist should deal with the treatment of the disease.

Treatment of the disease under discussion can be medical or surgical. Intervention is required when neoplasms are found in the child's brain.

What can you do

Mom and dad (and preferably all relatives spending time with the child) should clearly know how to help the baby in case a seizure suddenly starts. First aid rules are simple, easy to remember and easy to put into practice:

you should not touch a small patient during an attack, with the exception of cases when the attack overtook the baby in a traumatic place;
you should not attempt to contain the attack - this will not work anyway;
do not try to open the child's jaw;
no need to do indirect cardiac massage;
it is important to give the child a sufficient amount of fresh air, you do not need to surround him with the whole family, you can open a window or at least a window;
parents should make sure that the tongue does not sink into the throat and does not block the path of air (for this purpose, it is best to lay the child on the barrel and hold him in this position until the seizure ends);
if vomiting occurs during a seizure, the patient must also be placed in a lateral position so that he does not choke on his own vomit.

Parents should call an ambulance immediately if:

the seizure lasts more than five minutes,
the baby does not regain consciousness after an attack,
the seizure recurred after a short period of time.

What can a doctor do

The doctor who diagnosed epilepsy in a small patient will give the following prescriptions and recommendations:

proper nutrition,
healthy sleep,
minimal physical activity
drugs that improve brain nutrition,
anticonvulsants (they stop taking them only when the seizures are completely absent for more than two and a half years).

Prevention

To fully talk about prevention in the case of epilepsy will not work. And all because the causes of the development of this disease have not been fully studied by doctors. Of the disease prevention measures that are available to us today, we can list the following:

healthy lifestyle,
timely treatment of various infectious diseases,
protection of the head from injuries of a different nature, the risk of which is especially high during active children's games,
complete refusal of a pregnant mother from smoking and alcohol.

The term "epilepsy" experts call a chronic disease of the brain, which is characterized by disordered bursts of activity of its cells. In children, this disease occurs more often than in adults. In most cases, it manifests itself in the form of convulsive seizures.

Possible reasons

It is far from always possible to determine exactly why a child suffers from epilepsy. But this does not mean that there is no point in examining babies. Depending on what are the causes of epilepsy in a child, there are also types of this disease.

Many people call injuries, infectious lesions the trigger. It is also said to be an autoimmune disease. This version is confirmed by the fact that autoantibodies to neuroantigens are found in the blood of patients.

In children, the following reasons can provoke the onset of the disease.

1. Heredity. But scientists say it's wrong to say that epilepsy is transmitted. By inheritance, you can only get a predisposition to its appearance. Each person has a certain level of seizure activity, but whether epilepsy develops depends on a number of other reasons.

2. Brain disorders. Malfunctions in the work of the central nervous system arise due to the influence of harmful substances on the fetus, diseases of the mother during pregnancy. They are also caused by genetic disorders.

3. Infectious lesions. The disease can occur after suffering meningitis or encephalitis. Moreover, the younger the child was, the higher the likelihood of developing epileptic seizures in the future, the harder they will be. True, if the baby has a high congenital level of convulsive activity, then any infection can provoke the disease.

4. Injuries. Any blows can provoke the onset of epilepsy. But the relationship is not always possible to establish, because the disease does not begin immediately.

Knowing what are the causes of epilepsy in a child, you can decide on the tactics of further examination and treatment.

Disease classification

Experts distinguish several subspecies of this disease, depending on what caused the onset of seizures.

If the problem has developed due to structural defects in the brain, then we will talk about symptomatic epilepsy. It can occur due to the formation of a cyst, tumor, or hemorrhage in this organ. We are talking about idiopathic epilepsy in cases where there are no visible changes in the brain, but the child has a hereditary predisposition to the development of this disease.

But there are cases when the symptoms of epilepsy in a child are pronounced, and the cause of this condition cannot be established. This type of disease is called cryptogenic.

Also, experts distinguish localized and generalized forms of the disease. In the first case, the centers of activity in the brain are strictly limited. They are always formed in the same areas of the brain tissue. And when almost the entire cerebral cortex is involved in the pathological process.

Separately, a mixed version is distinguished. At first, epileptic seizures begin as localized, but the focus of excitation quickly spreads to the entire cortex.

First bells

All parents should know what are the signs of epilepsy in a child. After all, this problem is detected in 3% of babies under the age of 9 years. In infants, it can be confused with normal physical activity. The child turns his head, actively moves his arms and legs. The convulsive component is not always present in them.

Seizures can appear at any age. But most often they occur when the brain and nervous system have not fully matured. It is easier for pathological foci of excitation in such cases to appear.

Some seizures may be invisible to others. Even parents may not pay attention to them. They manifest in "hover" states that last only a few seconds. The most common form of the disease in children is (pycnolepsy). During an attack, the child's consciousness disappears, retropulsive movements of the head are noticeable, the eyes can roll up. At the end of the attack, automatic pharyngo-oral movements often appear. It can be lip licking, smacking, sucking. Such attacks usually last no more than 30 seconds. But they can be repeated many times even within one day.

Parents should be aware that these are symptoms of epilepsy in a child. Seizures can be provoked by a sleep disorder, reduced or, conversely, too active brain activity, photostimulation.

Forms of the disease

Specialists distinguish not only localized and generalized types of epilepsy. Depending on the factors that provoke the onset of the disease, the following forms are distinguished:

Primary: occurs against the background of increased convulsive activity of the brain;

Secondary: appears as a result of an infectious or traumatic lesion;

Reflex: occurs as a reaction to an irritant, it may be a certain noise, flickering light, smell.

Depending on the age at which the first signs of the disease appeared, and the characteristic clinical signs, the following types of seizures are distinguished:

Propulsive insignificant, they are characteristic of;

Myoclonic is an early childhood form;

Impulsive, occur during puberty;

Psychomotor - they can be accompanied by convulsions or pass without them, these can be sensory, auditory, adversive seizures, fits of laughter.

Depending on the frequency of occurrence and rhythm of seizures, the following types of epilepsy are distinguished:

With rare (less than 1 time per month), frequent (up to several times a week) attacks;

With irregular and increasing seizures.

According to the time of occurrence, the following forms of epilepsy are distinguished:

Awakenings;

Generalized (attacks appear at any time).

Foci of excitation can be located in the occipital, cortical, temporal, diencephalic and other areas of the brain.

Main symptoms

Depending on the site of the main lesion, the signs of epilepsy in a child will also differ. After all, the disease is not always manifested by convulsions. Temporary loss of consciousness, movement disorders, disorientation in space, disturbances in perception (taste, sound or visual), aggressiveness, sudden changes in mood should alert. Also, more can be said about the numbness of certain parts of the body.

These symptoms of epilepsy in a child are not always noticeable, so parents do not always pay attention to them. In older children, they may mistake them for normal absent-mindedness. But there are signs that attract attention. This is respiratory arrest, tension in the muscles of the body, which is accompanied by the fact that the child's limbs bend and unbend, convulsive contractions, involuntary defecation, and urination are observed. The patient may some during the attacks scream.

Sometimes people during seizures can only experience trembling of the eyelids, tilting the head back, looking at one point. They do not respond to external stimuli. But many are not able to recognize if they are not accompanied by convulsions and rocking on the floor.

You need to know that the immunity of epileptics is quite weak. They often suffer from various psycho-emotional disorders. They may develop anxiety and depression. They are petty and quarrelsome in nature, they often have bouts of aggression. People with epilepsy are characterized by excessive pickiness, vindictiveness, rancor. Experts call this epileptic character.

Diagnosis of the disease

Noticing periods of fading or convulsive movements in a child, you should immediately go to the doctor. Only a full examination and selection of the right treatment can return a person to a normal life.

Special laboratory and instrumental examinations are needed to diagnose epilepsy with 100% certainty. The disability group is established once before the age of majority. After the onset of the eighteenth birthday, it will be necessary to undergo a recommission.

One of the main methods of examination is electroencephalography. True, in almost half of the patients in the period between attacks there may not be any changes on it. When conducting functional tests (hyperventilation, sleep deprivation, photostimulation), 90% of patients develop characteristic symptoms of epilepsy.

In addition to EEG, neuroimaging is also used. This study allows you to identify brain damage, establish a diagnosis, determine the prognosis and further treatment tactics. These methods include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Also, patients take urine and blood for analysis. Determine the level of immunoglobulins, transaminases, albumin, electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, glucose, iron, prolactin, thyroid hormones and others.

Additional studies include ECG monitoring, dopplerography of brachiocephalic vessels, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.

The choice of treatment tactics

It is possible to normalize the condition of the child and reduce the frequency of seizures, or even completely eliminate them, in the case of well-chosen therapy. True, you should not count on getting rid of problems in the first month. Sometimes you have to take pills for several years so that mental epilepsy subsides and the attacks stop completely.

Therapy must be comprehensive. In addition to the mandatory intake of prescribed medications, in some cases, neurosurgical treatment is necessary. It is also difficult to do without psychotherapeutic support. With the right approach, stable remission can be achieved in 75% of young patients.

In addition to drug therapy, doctors advise establishing a clear daily routine for the child and transferring him to a special diet. This lifestyle should become a habit. After all, the mode minimizes the likelihood of foci of excitation in the brain. Doctors also note that the ketogenic diet gives good results. Its essence lies in the fact that you need to eat foods high in fat. At the same time, it is necessary to reduce the amount of carbohydrates.

Features of drug therapy

Determine how to treat epilepsy in each case, should only a doctor with sufficient experience. After all, it is important to choose medicines in such a way that they bring maximum benefit with a minimum of undesirable consequences. Treatment begins only after the diagnosis is established. To prescribe this or that drug, the doctor must determine the nature of the seizures, take into account the characteristics of the course of the disease. The role is played by the age at which the attacks began, their frequency, the patient's intelligence, the presence of neurological symptoms. The toxicity of drugs and the likelihood of side effects are also taken into account. When choosing drugs (for epilepsy, mainly anticonvulsants are prescribed), the doctor should pay more attention to the nature of the seizures, while the form of the disease is less important.

For therapeutic purposes, patients are prescribed the usual age dose. True, the doctor must describe the regimen. After all, they begin to drink antiepileptic drugs with a lower dose. If the effect of taking them does not appear, or it is barely noticeable, it is necessary to gradually increase the dosage. A feature of the treatment of this disease is precisely that it is undesirable to change the drugs. If the body does not respond, you just need to increase the amount of a single dose taken. Although approximately 1-3% of patients can achieve remission when using a reduced average dosage.

Selection of medicines

There are times when the prescribed drug does not help. This is evidenced by the lack of improvement during the month, provided that the maximum age dosage is reached. In such a situation, it is necessary to change the drug. But it is not so easy to do so. There is a special scheme for treating epilepsy with various medications.

To replace the funds, the second prescribed drug is started to be introduced gradually, while the previous one is also canceled. But it's done smoothly. Sometimes the change of the drug is delayed for several weeks. If the patient has a pronounced withdrawal syndrome, then it is desirable to give benzodiazepines and barbiturates as a complex therapy.

In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy can be cured. The doctor individually selects anticonvulsant and anticonvulsant drugs. Often prescribed "Diazepam", "Phenobarbital", "Carbamazepine". Preference is desirably given to agents in which the active substances are released slowly. After all, their use reduces the risk of side effects. These drugs include derivatives and carbamazepine. These include tablets "Valparin XP", "Konvulsofin", "Enkorat", "Konvuleks", "Depakin Enteric 300", "Finlepsin", "Apo-carbamazepine".

Possible Complications

Properly selected therapy can completely remove the symptoms of epilepsy in a child in a few years. In some cases, sequential monotherapy does not stop seizures. This is possible with drug resistance. Most often, it is observed in those patients who have early onset of seizures, there are more than 4 seizures per month, there is a decrease in intelligence and brain dysgenesis. In such cases, a slightly different scheme should be treated for epilepsy of the brain. Your doctor may prescribe two medications at the same time.

Treatment according to the selected scheme should be carried out for several years and even after the complete cessation of seizures. Depending on the forms of epilepsy, this period can be from 2 to 4 years. But premature withdrawal of drugs can cause a deterioration in the condition. Seizures may recur. Even after the end of the specified period, the cancellation of funds should be made gradually over 3-6 months. It is important to regularly monitor the condition using an EEG. In some cases, therapy is carried out throughout life.

It must be understood that the earlier the disease began, the more serious the consequences of epilepsy can be. This is due to the fact that at an early age in humans, the brain is still immature and, as a result, more vulnerable. Parents should take the prescribed treatment seriously, because if you do not adhere to the selected therapy regimen, skip taking pills or cancel them yourself, the child may resume seizures up to the appearance of status epilepticus. This condition is characterized by the fact that the child's seizures go one after another without interruption, the consciousness between them does not clear up.

Epilepsy is a serious brain disorder characterized by seizures and seizures.

It occurs in about five percent of people, but children experience it several times more often than adults.

It is important for parents to be attentive to the health of babies, and at the first signs, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Epilepsy partially or completely affects the brain. It occurs in 3% of children aged 1-9 years.

There are several reasons why the disease can develop. They are divided into three groups, according to which epilepsy is classified:

Although the disease is chronic, it can be cured. In 75% of cases, a correct and proper lifestyle helps to completely eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

How it manifests itself: what are the first symptoms

How to identify epilepsy in a child? The first manifestations of the disease can occur at any age, but, as a rule, most often this occurs in infancy and preschool.

Convulsive seizures can develop against a background of fever, fright, or other external factors.

Symptoms of epilepsy in young children are dangerous because they can masquerade as other diseases or phenomena.

The first signs of illness in infants are as follows:

Independent non-rhythmic twitching of the limbs.
Small, rhythmic and rapid muscle contractions on one side of the face, capable of moving to the arm and leg on the same side.
A quick abrupt stop of the child's gaze or a sharp cessation of any movement by him.
Turning towards the head and eyes, often accompanied by abduction of the arm in the same direction.

may masquerade as the normal movements of the child. They may recur at the same time and be accompanied by a change in complexion and salivation.

The baby can periodically shudder with his whole body, scream, make sweeping tremors with his hands.

In children of preschool and school age, idiopathic partial epilepsy, benign occipital epilepsy with an early onset, and Landau-Kleffner syndrome are most common.

These forms are manifested by simple seizures with visual defects:

hallucinations and visual illusions;
headache;
convulsive disorders;
nausea, vomiting.

Landau-Kleffner syndrome is characterized by such manifestations:

epileptic seizures;
aphasia;
behavioral disorders.

The first symptoms are violations of verbal agnosia and speech.

After epileptic seizures appear, mostly nocturnal in nature. Attacks do not last long, may be accompanied by hyperactivity and aggression.

The disease can cause even more difficulties. The child may not recognize the disease and ignore the instructions of doctors and parents.

Due to non-systematic use and increased psychophysical stress, relapses of seizures are possible.

In addition, a teenager may consciously avoid communication with others, which causes social isolation.

Problems of this nature require the intervention of a psychologist.

The specialist, together with the teenager and his parents, should discuss the mode of rest and work, the time spent at the computer, physical activity and other factors.

In adolescence, it is common. The reasons for its appearance include an unstable hormonal background and a general restructuring of the body.

Convulsions in this form are accompanied by symmetrical muscle contractions. Most often, these are the extensor muscles of the limbs. Adolescents in this case may feel a sharp push under the knee, and abruptly sit down or even fall from it.

In the case of muscle contractions of the hands, a teenager can sharply drop or throw an object that is in his hand.

As a rule, such attacks occur in the mind and are often provoked by sleep disturbances or abrupt awakening. This form is easily treatable.

Diagnostics

With the manifestation of characteristic signs, you need to contact a specialist - a pediatric neurologist or epileptologist. is based on the study of anamnesis, instrumental and laboratory studies, assessment of neurological status.

The doctor must know the frequency and duration of attacks, the time of their onset, and the course of the disease. Attention is drawn to the existing perinatal pathologies, early organic brain damage, the presence of epilepsy in relatives.

To identify the site of increased excitability of the brain and the form of the disease, electroencephalography is performed.

In order to determine the morphological substrate of the disease, an x-ray of the skull, CT and MRI, PET of the brain is done.

It may be necessary to consult an ophthalmologist, as well as electrocardiography, blood tests, determination of the chromosomal karyotype.

Treatment

Depending on and the specialist selects the appropriate therapy. If possible, it should be aimed not only at eliminating seizures, but also at combating the cause of the disease.

The main measure of treatment is antiepileptic drugs, which the doctor selects individually. Anticonvulsants are usually prescribed if there have been more than two epileptic seizures.

Modern drugs are very effective, and in many cases lead to a complete recovery, and in more severe situations, they reduce the severity of the course and the frequency of attacks.

Correction may also be required - here it is important to adhere to all the recommendations given by the specialist.

How to recognize in a child at 2, 3, 4 years old, at 5-6 years old and in a schoolchild

How does epilepsy start in children?

Because the disease has many different forms and symptoms can vary, parents should be aware of what should make them wary.

Pay attention to the following points:

Muscle tension, short respiratory arrest and convulsions of various durations - These are the main signs of an attack. Spontaneous emptying of the bladder is also possible.
Seizures may also be less noticeable. warning sign- if the child freezes, his gaze becomes absent and empty, there is a slight trembling of the eyelids, head tilting, the reaction worsens.
Serious cause for concern- loss of consciousness for no reason, as well as childhood spasms - involuntary bringing the arms to the chest, tilting the head or the whole body forward, straightening the legs. This usually occurs after waking up.
In addition to the characteristic signs, there are others that should make you wary. Epilepsy-prone children often have nightmares, waking up crying and screaming. They can sleepwalk.
Headache is also a warning sign. They appear abruptly, may be supplemented by nausea and vomiting.
There are also cases when the only early symptom of the disease is short-term speech disorder. The child may retain consciousness and movement, but for some time loses the ability to speak.

Such phenomena can also manifest themselves in a number of other pathologies, which is why it is important to consult a specialist and understand what the reason is.

If we are talking about epilepsy, the doctor will prescribe the right treatment, which will help to significantly improve the patient's condition.

Epilepsy in children, unfortunately, is a fairly common neurological disease. There are references to pathology even more than a century ago. In ancient times, it was believed that an epileptic seizure is the introduction of the devil into a person and was avoided in every possible way. To date, the disease has been described in sufficient detail and the appearance of its first signs indicates the need for treatment.

Epilepsy is diagnosed more often in childhood, usually between the ages of 5-6 and up to 18, but can also be detected in another period of life. According to statistics, about 1% of all children on our planet suffer from the disease. Therefore, every parent should know a number of important information about the signs, causes and first aid for a child in case of an attack.

Causes of the disease

Despite the rather extensive knowledge of specialists about epilepsy, its exact causes remain not fully known. The mechanism for the development of pathology is the failure of electrical impulses passing through the neurons of the brain. Their number becomes more frequent, due to this, an epileptic seizure occurs.

There are a number of possible causes that can affect the development of the disease in children, these include:

intrauterine pathology. That is, even during pregnancy, the fetus develops deviations in the formation of brain structures. Such a process can occur due to various negative factors, for example, the future mother's addiction to bad habits, smoking, alcoholism, and taking drugs. Also, intrauterine infections, fetal hypoxia, and diseases transmitted by the mother during pregnancy increase the risk of developing pathology. In addition, the older the pregnant woman, the higher the risk of various abnormalities in the child, including epilepsy;
generic features. This item includes birth trauma, long labor, the baby being in the womb without amniotic fluid, fetal asphyxia or the use of obstetric forceps;
frequent infectious diseases in a child, complications after suffering the flu, otitis or sinusitis. The most dangerous are brain infections, such as encephalitis or meningitis;
traumatic brain injury, concussion;
hereditary factor. Epilepsy is a genetic disease, so if one of the parents has a history of epilepsy, the risk of its development in the child increases;
deficiency of zinc and magnesium in the body. Scientists have proven that the lack of these trace elements leads to seizures and can cause the development of pathology;
brain tumors.

What should parents of infants pay attention to?

Signs of epilepsy in children differ from the clinical picture in adults. Parents of children in the first year of life should be especially careful. Depending on the type of seizures, the child may not have convulsions characteristic of epilepsy, and, without knowing other characteristic symptoms, they can easily be confused with other pathologies.

Typical symptoms of the disease in infancy:

sudden cries of the child, accompanied by trembling in the hands. At this moment, the arms are spread out, and the baby is waving them widely;
trembling or twitching of the limbs, it is asymmetrical and does not occur simultaneously, for example, in the left and right leg;
fading of the child, for a short period of time, the look stops and does not perceive what is happening around;
muscle contraction on one side of the body. Minor cramps begin from the face, passing to the arm and leg from the same side;
turning to one side, the child freezes for a few seconds in this position;
an unreasonable change in skin color, especially noticeable on the face, it can become purple or vice versa too pale.

Note! If you notice such first changes in the behavior of your crumbs, do not hesitate to contact a neurologist!

Types of epilepsy and their signs

There are more than forty varieties of the disease, and each of them has its own differences in manifestations. The four most common forms are:

idiopathic epilepsy in children is considered the most common. Among its symptoms, the main ones are convulsions with muscle rigidity. At the time of the attack, the baby's legs straighten, the muscles are in good shape, saliva is abundantly released from the mouth of the crumbs in the form of foam, possibly with an admixture of blood due to the unconscious bite of the tongue. Loss of consciousness for several seconds and even minutes is possible, when the baby returns to consciousness, he does not remember what is happening;
rolandic form is considered one of the varieties of idiopathic epilepsy. Most often diagnosed in children aged 3-13 years. Fortunately, this form of epilepsy often resolves by puberty, the attacks are more frequent initially and decrease as the child grows. A distinctive feature is a seizure at night. Among the symptoms are: numbness of the tongue and lower face, unilateral convulsions, tingling in the mouth, inability to speak, the attack lasts up to three minutes, the patient is conscious;
absence epilepsy in children. In this case, among the first symptoms of the disease there are no habitual convulsions. There is a short-term fading, the gaze becomes motionless, the head and torso are turned in one direction. A sharp muscle tone is noticeable, which alternates with their relaxation. The baby may experience pain in the head and abdomen, nausea. Sometimes body temperature and heart rate increase. This form of epilepsy is slightly more common in girls and predominantly occurs between the ages of 5 and 8.

Sometimes the first signs of an upcoming attack in a child appear in a few days, this condition is called an aura. Its clinical manifestations are sleep disturbance, behavior changes, the baby becomes more capricious and irritable.

Why is epilepsy dangerous?

In addition to the epileptic seizure itself, which can catch the patient anywhere and at any time, there are a number of consequences that they can cause. These consequences include:

trauma during an attack. Due to a sudden seizure, others may not be able to quickly react and pick up the baby, due to which he can fall on a hard surface and continue to beat his head against it in a convulsive state;
development of status epilepticus. This is a very complex condition, during which seizures last up to half an hour. During this time, the child is unconscious, and processes occur in the structure of the brain that subsequently affect mental development. There is a death of neurons, and anything can follow this process;
emotional instability develops, which is manifested by tearfulness, irritability or aggressiveness of the child;
death. A lethal outcome can be the result of suffocation at the time of the attack due to vomit that has not come out.

Therapy

Pathology should be treated comprehensively. First of all, parents should create the most favorable conditions for the baby. Stressful situations and overloads are strictly forbidden for him. It is important to reduce the time the child spends at the computer and TV, to increase the duration of walks in the fresh air.

Treatment of epilepsy with medications begins immediately after the diagnosis is established. In rare cases, lifelong drug therapy may be required.

Pathology is treated with anticonvulsant drugs. The dosage is determined strictly by the doctor on an individual basis. Initially, the minimum dosage is prescribed, and subsequently increased if necessary. These drugs include:

Convulex;
Depakine;
Tegretol;
Finlepsin;
diazepam;
Gluferal and others.

It is also necessary to treat epilepsy with the help of psychotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy.

Surgical treatment of epilepsy in children is prescribed in cases where a brain tumor has been diagnosed or a traumatic brain injury has been received.

First aid during an attack

Epilepsy needs to be treated systematically and constantly, but you should also be aware of the first aid that should be given to a child during an attack.

At the time of an epileptic seizure, it is important not to let the child get hurt. If the place where the attack occurred is traumatic, the baby should be transferred to a soft surface or put a pillow, a roller of clothes or other improvised materials under the head.

To avoid dysphagia due to vomit, the child's head should be turned to the side, and a handkerchief should be placed on the tongue. In the event that the teeth are tightly interlocked, you should not try to open your mouth, you are unlikely to succeed without injuring the patient. It is also important to provide access to fresh air and remove clothing from the upper body or unfasten buttons. Calling an ambulance is necessary if the seizure lasts longer than 3-5 minutes or if breathing stops.

The prognosis is ambiguous, in children under one year old, often after treatment, the frequency of seizures is reduced and may completely disappear. So, if there are no relapses within 3-4 years, anticonvulsants can be canceled by a doctor, subject to a systematic preventive examination.

Recommendations for parents

Epilepsy in children is a serious diagnosis and parents should be more attentive to such children. Tips for parents:

in the sun, the child should be only in a headdress, try to prevent direct sunlight from falling on him less;
sports sections should be chosen the least traumatic, for example, table tennis, badminton or volleyball;
do not leave the child unattended in the water, whether it is a bath or a pond;
watch the child's immunity, it should not be low.

Remember, children with epilepsy are special children who need not only medication, but also psychological support from their parents and relatives. It is more difficult for them to adapt in a team than ordinary children, so it is important to support them in every way in any endeavors and manifestations, protecting them from stressful situations as much as possible. Also, do not forget about the constant monitoring by a neurologist and do not allow gaps in taking medications.

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