Fever convulsions in children… – Last Minute Türkiye and World News

SHAFAQNA TURKEY – Febrile seizures in children usually occur between the ages of 1 month and 5 years and are often confused by families with epilepsy. However, febrile seizures usually do not occur after 5 years of age, and febrile seizures are often associated with infection. Epilepsy, on the other hand, is a disease that is treatable in about 60-65% of cases, although the cause is still unknown. In addition to surgical methods, an important place in the treatment of incurable resistant epilepsy is occupied by a ketogenic diet and epileptic batteries. It is also very important that the families and relatives of children who have had seizures know about the right intervention. From the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Memorial Bahchelievler Hospital, Uz. Dr. Selvinaz Edizer provided information on interventions for children with seizures.

Are febrile seizures hereditary?

Febrile seizures are a condition associated with a child’s low resistance to fever and are usually based on a family history. There is no specific treatment or follow-up for these, but when they recur frequently and there are familial causes, an EEG check or medication may be needed.

Epilepsy is a disease that occurs in 1-5% of children. Although the exact cause is not known, there may be many causes related to genetic, metabolic and developmental processes. The child’s brain may experience some abnormal electrical charges until the adult’s brain reaches its age, most of which are treated as epileptic seizures and may require treatment. It’s not always a fever, but it can also cause a fever. 60-65 percent of epilepsy is curable. About 50-60 percent of them are benign childhood epilepsies. The remaining 20-25 percent are resistant epilepsy.

25% of patients with epilepsy are resistant to drugs

25% of patients with epilepsy are resistant to antiepileptic drugs. Patients who continue to have seizures despite taking two or more antiepileptic drugs are called resistant epilepsy. In these patients, the rate of benefit from the additional drug now ranges from 1-5%. Therefore, non-pharmacological treatment is recommended for such patients. These treatments depend on the suitability of the patient: epilepsy surgery, ketogenic diet therapy, and epilepsy pacemaker therapy called vagus nerve stimulation. Surgery for epilepsy; It is the surgical removal of the focus that initiates the epileptic activity of the patient. It is successful in eligible patients. However, this is a procedure with postoperative complications.

The ketogenic diet, used in patients with refractory epilepsy, is a method of medical treatment.

Ketogenic diet therapy; This is a purely therapeutic diet. In the group of resistant epilepsy; This is a type of diet followed with a high-fat, low-protein, and carbohydrate-adjusted menu. An anticonvulsant effect of 45% to 66% has been reported, and this figure increases even more in appropriate patient groups. This is a form of treatment that is somewhat difficult to administer and has complications. It is very important for the family to be able to monitor the patient’s compliance with the treatment regimen. In addition to its anticonvulsant effect, a slight increase in the ability to move and an improvement in perceptual functions were observed in most groups of patients, the mechanism of which is still not understood.

What is an epileptic battery?

Epilepsy pacemaker (vagus nerve stimulation) may be evaluated in patients with suitable resistant epilepsy, such as children who have taken two or more drugs but who continue to have seizures. Battery treatment in the form of a surgical procedure is applied depending on the appropriateness. The battery logic is a treatment method in the form of stopping long-term seizures in a patient and reducing seizures in a patient in the long term, like a medicine, and stopping them in some patients. There is a magnet on the wrist, an electrode on the neck. In children with prolonged seizures and long stays in intensive care, a seizure can be stopped by touching a magnet to the neck.

Airways should be controlled

During an attack, those who have had an attack should be treated appropriately. The most important thing is to control the airways. The child should be placed on a hard surface. It should be turned to the right or left. Because the intraoral secret and saliva should not flow back. Nothing should be put in his mouth and you should not try to pull out his tongue. It should be performed in a position on its side, slightly tilting its head back. If the seizure lasts 2-3 minutes and continues, you should call 112 and prepare for hospitalization. In no case should a child be placed under water or pour water on him. Unconscious approaches can worsen this picture seen in children. It is very important for parents to be aware of this issue and keep in touch with their doctors. WORLD