Why Do Children Develop Epilepsy? What Should Be Done If They Do?

Epilepsy manifests in various forms of seizures, the most common being generalized tonic-clonic seizures, as well as absence seizures and complex partial seizures. Other types include tonic seizures and atonic seizures. Typically, epilepsy is managed through long-term medication, and patients are advised to rest adequately, avoid excessive stress, and maintain a nutritious diet. There are numerous triggers that can induce epileptic seizures.

Why do children develop epilepsy, and what should be done when they do? Let's delve into this.

The causes of epilepsy in children primarily include the following:

1. Genetic factors. If a child's parents or other close relatives have epilepsy, the child's risk of developing epilepsy may increase through genetic transmission.
2. Intracranial lesions. Conditions such as encephalitis or cerebral hemorrhage can lead to abnormal brain discharges, resulting in epilepsy.
3. Systemic diseases can also trigger epilepsy in children. These include conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning and severe oxygen deficiency.

Symptoms of epilepsy can vary and may include:

1. Consciousness impairment and abnormal limb movements. Some patients may experience consciousness fuzziness or loss. Others may show generalized muscular rigidity, dilated pupils, followed by rhythmic limb spasms, kicking, rolling, and other movements. Some may repeatedly chew, lick their lips, drool, or suddenly stop activities, stare blankly, or drop objects in their hands. Others may involuntarily grasp, grope, or perform other movements.
2. Sensory abnormalities. These can include a feeling of throat constriction or suffocation, excessive saliva secretion, twitching of lips and tongue, unclear or difficult speech, numbness and tingling sensations in the limbs, and electrical, numb, or burning sensations around the mouth or in the oral cavity.
3. Visual disturbances. These may include temporary loss of vision (blackouts) or visual hallucinations (flashes of light).
4. Cognitive impairments. These can manifest as deja vu, obsessive thoughts, memory impairments, decreased intelligence, and personality changes.
5. Emotional disturbances. These include fear, depression, anger, and other emotional barriers.
6. Illusions or hallucinations. These can include distortions of visual perception, altered sound perception, and complex hallucinations.
7. Other symptoms. These may include skin flushing, excessive sweating, palpitations, abdominal pain, and dizziness.

Certain stimuli, such as flashing lights, hot baths, reading, and calculating, can trigger epileptic seizures. Other factors that may contribute to or worsen epileptic seizures include high fever, alcohol consumption, hyperventilation, metabolic disturbances, excessive fatigue, and insufficient sleep. Additionally, certain medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, quinolones, and penicillin, can also trigger seizures.