Managing childhood epilepsy

Abstract

An epileptic seizure is a paroxysmal, stereotyped disturbance of consciousness, motor function, sensation, perception, behaviour or emotion (occurring singly or in any combination), resulting from a cortical neuronal discharge. Epilepsy is a condition in which such seizures recur, usually spontaneously. Estimates suggest that 0.7-0.8% of school-aged children (corresponding to around 61, 000 in England, Wales and Scotland) have active epilepsy.1 Here, we review the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of children with common forms of epilepsy.