Epilepsy

The term epilepsy is used to describe seizures that recur over a long period of time. Sometimes the cause of the recurring seizures is known (symptomatic epilepsy) and sometimes it is not (idiopathic epilepsy). Chemical imbalances in the blood, brain damage due to infection or injury, and lead poisoning are some of the conditions that can lead to epilepsy.

Some children experience sudden episodes that include breath holding, fainting, facial or body twitching, and unusual sleep disorders. They may occur just once or may recur over a limited time period. Although these may resemble epilepsy or true seizures, they are not and they require quite different treatment.
- Excerpted from Caring for Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, Bantam 1999

Coordinated Care in a Medical Home

• A plan of care is developed by the physician, child or youth, and family and is shared with other providers, agencies, and organizations involved with the care of the patient.
• Care among multiple providers is coordinated through the medical home.
• A central record or database containing all pertinent medical information, including hospitalizations and specialty care, is maintained at the practice. The record is accessible, but confidentiality is preserved.
• The medical home physician shares information among the child or youth, family, and consultant and provides specific reason for referral to appropriate pediatric medical subspecialists, surgical specialists, and mental health/developmental professionals.
• Families are linked to family support groups, parent-to-parent groups, and other family resources.
• When a child or youth is referred for a consultation or additional care, the medical home physician assists the child, youth, and family in communicating clinical issues.
• The medical home physician evaluates and interprets the consultant’s recommendations for the child or youth and family and, in consultation with them and subspecialists, implements recommendations that are indicated and appropriate.
• The plan of care is coordinated with educational and other community organizations to ensure that special health needs of the individual child are addressed. ¹

AAP Information on Seizures and Epilepsy:
www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZ46BAEDDC.htm?&sub_cat=107

AAP Section on Neurology: www.aap.org/sections/neurology/

Provides information on:
• Upcoming Neurology Educational Programs
• Patient Education Brochures including "What is a Child Neurologist?"
• Visiting Professorships: The intent of the visiting professorship is to bring an expert in pediatric neurology to pediatric residency programs to enhance education about neurologic disease.
• Related Links

Web sites/ Organizations

CURE: http://www.cureepilepsy.org/home.asp
CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization founded by parents of children with epilepsy who were frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of seizures and the side effects of medications. Unwilling to sit back and accept the debilitating effects of epilepsy, these parents joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure. Administrative costs are kept to a minimum so that money raised can go directly toward epilepsy research aimed at finding a cure.

Epilepsy Foundation: www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
Epilepsy Foundation of Americas the only organization wholly dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy, our mission is simple: to work for children and adults affected by seizures through research, education, advocacy and service.

1. The medical home. Pediatrics. 2002; 110: 184-186

Last Updated August 7, 2008