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Epilepsy
Assessment of Childhood Epilepsy
The evaluation of epilepsy in childhood requires accurate identification of seizures, the use of appropriate diagnostic methods, and consideration of the child’s developmental characteristics together.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can occur due to abnormal electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain, resulting in recurrent seizures. In childhood, the symptoms and course of epilepsy may vary depending on the child’s age, type of epilepsy, and underlying cause.
Accurate identification of seizures, evaluation of the child’s neurological and developmental characteristics, and, when necessary, the use of diagnostic methods such as EEG form the basis of an appropriate evaluation process.
Every Seizure Does Not Mean Epilepsy.
Some movements, staring episodes, or changes in consciousness observed in children may resemble epileptic seizures. Therefore, it is important to carefully evaluate how the seizure began, how long it lasted, and the findings observed afterward.
Seizure History
How the seizure began, how long it lasted, how it progressed, and the accompanying findings are evaluated together.
Neurological Assessment
The child’s neurological status, potential, and developmental characteristics are evaluated together.
EEG
An important diagnostic tool that assists in evaluating the brain’s electrical activity.
Other Necessary Investigations
Depending on the clinical findings, imaging, genetic testing, or other diagnostic methods may be used.
Approach to Childhood Epilepsies
Childhood epilepsies do not constitute a single group of disorders. The type of epilepsy, age at onset, seizure characteristics, underlying cause, and the child’s neurodevelopmental status play an important role in shaping the evaluation and follow-up process.
Therefore, the evaluation of epilepsy considers not only seizure control but also the child’s cognitive, developmental, and overall neurological status as a whole.
Scientific Research in Epilepsy
Childhood epilepsies are among the prominent areas of Prof. Dr. Pınar Gençpınar’s academic work. She conducts scientific studies on the different clinical characteristics of childhood epilepsies, treatment responses, and neurophysiological conditions associated with epilepsy.
2021
Electrical Status Epilepticus During Slow-wave Sleep (ESES): Current Perspectives
Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences
2025
First-drug efficacy and drug-resistant epilepsy rates in children with new-onset epilepsies: a multicenter large cohort study
Journal of Child Neurology
2026
Serum Orexin-A Levels in Childhood Generalized Epilepsy Syndromes
Dicle Medical Journal