Early Onset Epilepsy in Children

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What percentage of early onset epilepsy cases are believed to have a genetic cause?

50% (correct)

90%

25%

75%

During which stage of life is the brain most malleable?

Old age

Adolescence

Adulthood

Childhood (correct)

What is the estimated risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)?

0.05% - 0.1%

0.5% - 1%

0.1% - 0.2% (correct)

1% - 2%

What is a result of recurrent epileptic brain activity during childhood?

Permanent changes to the brain's shape (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why do children have an advantage over adults with epilepsy surgery?

Their brains are more malleable (D) Signup and view all the answers

In epilepsy, what happens to the electrical signals in the brain?

They become scrambled and sometimes burst with activity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the possible genetic link to epilepsy?

1 in 3 people with epilepsy have a family member with it (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trigger for seizures in people with epilepsy?

Lack of sleep (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main symptom of epilepsy?

Repeated seizures (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of seizure affects only one hemisphere of the brain?

Focal aware seizure (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for uncontrollable jerking and shaking during a seizure?

Fit (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the professional organization that establishes the terminology and approaches for classifying seizures and forms of epilepsy?

International League Against Epilepsy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the framework used by healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients with epilepsy?

Classification of the Epilepsies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is taken into account when classifying seizures under the new system?

Seizure onset, additional features, and expanded classification (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a seizure that involves the entire brain?

Generalized seizure (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a seizure that has no physical component?

Absence seizure (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the common term for simple focal seizures?

Auras (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of a myoclonic seizure?

A fraction of a second (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a seizure that lasts a long time or a series of seizures where the person does not regain consciousness in between?

Status epilepticus (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an EEG?

To check for unusual electrical activity in the brain (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the muscles during an atonic seizure?

They suddenly relax (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the person's consciousness during a complex focal seizure?

They lose the sense of awareness (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a seizure that affects children mainly, but can happen at any age?

Absence seizure (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an MRI scan in diagnosing epilepsy?

To spot problems in the brain that can sometimes cause epilepsy (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the person's bladder or bowel control during a tonic-clonic seizure?

They lose control of the bladder or bowel (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of the clonic stage of a tonic-clonic seizure?

A few minutes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with the use of phenobarbital and topiramate during pregnancy?

Both neurodevelopmental toxicity and increased risk of intra-uterine growth restriction (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration for reducing dosage when withdrawing antiepileptic drugs?

At least three months (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if seizures recur during or after discontinuation of an antiepileptic drug?

Reverse the last dose reduction and seek guidance from an epilepsy specialist (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to withdraw only one antiepileptic drug at a time in patients receiving multiple drugs?

To minimize the risk of seizure recurrence (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration for withdrawing barbiturates and benzodiazepines?

Over a longer period than other antiepileptic drugs (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done before considering the withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs from a seizure-free patient?

Assess the risk of seizure recurrence (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment used to control seizures by changing the electrical signals in the brain?

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is a Sodium Channel Blocker?

Carbamazepine (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the nerve that is stimulated in Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?

Vagus Nerve (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for medications that increase GABA?

GABA Modulators (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is not recommended for females who are able to have children?

Sodium Valproate (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

To change the electrical signals in the brain (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the diet that is used to help manage epilepsy?

Ketogenic Diet (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is a Calcium Channel Blocker?

Gabapentin (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Brain Surgery?

To remove part of the brain (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can exacerbate absence or myoclonic seizures?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first-line treatment for absence seizures?

Ethosuximide (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications should be avoided in patients with myoclonic seizures?

Phenobarbital (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for atonic or tonic seizures in females who are able to have children?

Lamotrigine (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated risk of congenital malformations associated with valproate use during pregnancy?

10% (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the MHRA/CHM advice, what is the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with valproate use during pregnancy?

30-40% (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations?

Lamotrigine (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for absence seizures if ethosuximide is unsuccessful?

Sodium valproate (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is highly teratogenic and should not be used in females of childbearing potential?

Valproate (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for myoclonic seizures in females who are able to have children?

Levetiracetam (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment for atonic or tonic seizures if lamotrigine is unsuccessful?