Seizure Disorders By: Samantha Singer

What is… Neurological condition Nerve pathways disrupted by unorganized burst of electrical impulses Occur roughly in 1 out of 100 individuals Epilepsy = recurrent seizure

Causes… Direct injury to brain Scarring of the brain from infections Genetic component Predisposition Not one single identifiable cause Not all seizures are epileptic in nature

Symptoms… Asymptomatic May be premonitory (aura) Some may have numbness or an unusual feeling

Types… Tonic Clonic – Grand Mal Begins with tonic phase that only last for a few seconds, stiffening of the body Loss of consciousness, heavy irregular breathing, and drooling During the clonic phase the muscles begin to clench and relax Finally a period of fatigue and disorientation Some may experience what is called a postdictal state = sleeping episode.

Types… Petit Mal – Non Convulsive – Absence Seizure occurs b/t the ages 4-12, often disappears when child gets older 1/3 - 1/2 may develop grand mal Very brief seizure usually lasting 15 – 30 seconds very difficult to recognize May loose consciousness, no observable physical change Can look like blinking your eyes or staring into space

Diagnosis… EEG used to assess brain activity CT, PET, MRI Must be conducted in conjunction w/ blood tests and medical history

Treatment (Medications)… AED like Phenobaritrol, Dilantin, Klonopin Medications have adverse effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, memory problems, and attention lapses, the use of one AED instead of multiple may reduce side effects

Treatment (Diet)… Ketogenic diet strict diet used to treat seizures. High fat, low carbs, and moderate protein Each meal must be eaten completely in order to be effective Usually used in young children

Treatment (Surgery)… Labectomy removes the lesion in order to decrease the misfiring of neurons Corpus callostomy severs the network of connections b/t left and right hemisphere, prevents further damage Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) a device that is surgically implanted on vagus nerve, provides electrical stimulation, and can be activated by a special magnet

Early Intervention… Early diagnosis extremely important Important to assess physical, cognitive, and language Usually made by physician before child reaches school age Most cases no effect on intellectual development

Educational Issues… School personnel should have training in administering AED’s Teachers must be aware of the type of seizure student may have Students w/ absence seizures need more frequent review Teachers need to give reassurance once seizure has dissipated or ensure safety due to confusion

Emotional and Psychosocial Issues… Presents many challenges for child and family Fears and misconceptions are too common Can be stressful on children with seizure disorders Counseling often helps Educating other students, families, friends, and teachers often reduces teasing and stigma