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Approach to a Child with Epilepsy

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Clinical Child Neurology

Abstract

Epilepsies are very diverse conditions with marked variations in aetiology, clinical presentation and treatment outcome. Over the past decade, the understanding of epilepsy has made tremendous strides with the discovery of new genes and advanced imaging techniques. This has led to the 2010 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) re-organization of the classification of seizures and epilepsy syndromes. This current classification guides the investigations, treatment of seizures and the associated comorbid conditions in children with epilepsy and continues to evolve. This chapter covers the current classification of seizures and epilepsy syndromes. The management of a child presenting with epilepsy poses many challenges particularly in resource-limited settings. The chapter highlights a standard approach to the “workup” for a child presenting with seizures, associated comorbid conditions and treatment recommendations based on the current evidence-based practice. Additionally, the chapter provides a description of the common epilepsy syndromes and indications for referral to a paediatric neurologist.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

    Edward Kija

  2. Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Jo M. Wilmshurst

Authors
  1. Edward Kija
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  2. Jo M. Wilmshurst
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jo M. Wilmshurst .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine Division of Pediatric Neurology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Mustafa A.M. Salih

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Kija, E., Wilmshurst, J.M. (2020). Approach to a Child with Epilepsy. In: Salih, M.A. (eds) Clinical Child Neurology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43153-6_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43153-6_26

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43152-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43153-6

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