Childrens hospital philadelphia epilepsy

The EEG data is reviewed several times per day. The neurology team will discuss the plan with you when you are admitted.

You will be given results of the EEG each morning between 10 a. The EMU is a multidisciplinary team consisting of many specialties. Depending on the needs of your child, the team may include board certified EEG technologists, pediatric residents, neurology fellows, an attending neurologist, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other specialists.

CHOP is a teaching hospital so may meet medical, EEG and nursing students who are under the supervision of experienced staff. The exact time of the admission cannot be determined in advance, because it is dependent upon the time patients are discharged on your scheduled day.

If you are going to be later than your scheduled time, you must call the EMU directly so that we can coordinate your arrival time with other patients. When you arrive at the hospital, please report to the Admissions Office on the first floor of the main hospital. You will be registered and then directed to your room.

EMU admission details Patients admitted to 9 South will have a private room. In rare instances, there are no beds available on 9 South, a patient may need to be admitted to a different floor. In this situation, you may not have a private room. The monitoring equipment simultaneously records the brain waves, video and audio of your child.

Your child must remain still and in a flat position for a short period of time for the electrodes to be successfully and accurately applied. Sometimes we use a medical immobilizer to keep your child from moving and to ensure their safety.

For most children with epilepsy, such a treatment plan involves seizure medication. For children with seizures that do not respond well to medical treatment, PREP offers other treatment options, including the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation or epilepsy surgery. The PREP team is experienced in performing epilepsy surgery in children of all ages and with all types of epilepsy. The program is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurology fellows and residents, neurosurgeons, a nurse, a social worker, and other healthcare professionals.

Diagnostic tests may include: Electroencephalogram EEG to measure the electrical activity in the brain and identify the source of seizures Most children experiencing seizures will undergo a routine EEG that typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. For some children, longer EEG recordings are required. EEG also helps us to identify children who may be candidates for epilepsy surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI Genetic tests may help us better understand each patient and their type of epilepsy Magnetoencephalography MEG Stereoelectroencephalography sEEG or stereo-EEG , a minimally invasive procedure where electrodes are placed directly in the brain to identify where seizures start Rarely - Lumbar puncture spinal tap to determine if there is an infection or other problems Seizures are sometimes related to other neurological problems and require further medical follow up.

The major goals of seizure management include: Proper identification of the type of seizure Using medication specific to the type of seizure Using the least amount of medication to achieve adequate control Maintaining optimal medication doses Treatments for your child's seizures may include: Medications : There are many types of medications used to treat seizures and epilepsy. Medications are selected based on the type of seizure, age of the child, side effects, the cost of the medication, and the adherence with the use of the medication.

Ketogenic diet : Certain children who are having problems with medications, or whose seizures are not being well controlled, may be placed on a special diet called the ketogenic diet.

This type of diet is low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fat. Surgery: Surgery for epilepsy is performed by a specialized surgical team. The operation may remove the part of the brain where the seizures are occurring, or, sometimes, the surgery helps to stop the spread of seizures through the brain. If your child may benefit from epilepsy surgery, you will first have a detailed epilepsy surgery evaluation in order to determine if all the seizures are coming from a location that is safe to remove.

We use modern minimally invasive technologies to develop a personalized epilepsy surgery plan for each child to optimize seizure control and minimize pain. Learn more about the Pediatric Epilepsy Program.

Find resources and instructions on how to join a video visit with a CHOP provider. We offer a variety of treatment options to children with epilepsy. Learn more about some of the treatments and procedures that may be part of your child's personalized care plan. At our Pediatric Epilepsy Program, your child will be treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes neurology physicians, certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurses, a neuropsychologist, neurosurgeon, neuropathologist, neuroradiologist and social worker.

Meet Our Team.