Epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder, mostly occurs in childhood, and its causes and symptoms vary from person to person. For this disease, accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment are the keys to achieving the best curative effect.
Neurological diseases, especially epilepsy, rely on a dutiful and experienced medical team for diagnosis and treatment.
- Our expert team consists of pediatric neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric rehabilitation doctors, pediatric physiotherapists and pediatric dietitians. They work together to provide the most effective and comprehensive treatment plans for children patients. All our experts have received education both at home and abroad and possess rich clinical experience.
- Comprehensive medical examination items include: computed tomography (CT) of the brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with a special epilepsy protocol, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, aiming to provide accurate epilepsy diagnosis and clarify the causes.
- All-round treatment plans: We provide patients with comprehensive, efficient and personalized treatment plans, including specific treatments and supportive treatments such as rehabilitation and developmental stimulation. We also offer advanced alternative treatment options for drug-resistant epilepsy, such as the ketogenic diet and epilepsy surgeries, including curative and palliative surgeries, for example, the implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS).
- Well-equipped facilities: Our electroencephalogram monitoring unit (EMU) can conduct long-term seizure monitoring and provide video recordings so as to tailor treatment plans for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, such as epilepsy surgeries. After the operation, children patients can receive the highest level of intensive care in our tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU Level 3). Rehabilitation and intensive treatment are important aspects for improving the quality of life, and thus we have been rated as the best physiotherapists in the Middle East Healthcare Leadership Awards.
How to diagnose and treat childhood epilepsy?
Diagnosis:
Our pediatric neurologists will collect patients' medical histories and symptoms in detail and conduct comprehensive neurological examinations to recommend appropriate examinations.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a common test to identify the types of seizures. During the test, electrodes are attached to the patient's scalp to record the electrical activity of the brain.
Experts may recommend CT or MRI scans to diagnose more accurately and determine the seizure foci.
The EMU can conduct long-term EEG monitoring for various seizure types or patients suitable for surgical treatment to observe brain function and maturity and determine all seizure foci.
Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy or other epilepsy disorders need to undergo long-term EEG screening to determine the root causes of seizures.
Genetic testing:
Genetic testing is necessary for certain types of epilepsy to ensure the accuracy of diagnosis. The genetic testing provided by Samitivej Children's Hospital can accurately and comprehensively detect various genetic diseases.
Treatment options include:
- Medication Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are usually the first choice, and 60% to 70% of pediatric patients respond to them.
- Ketogenic and Modified Atkins Diets
The ketogenic diet is a high fat, adequate protein and very low carbohydrate diet. It works by changing how the brain produces energy to function. Although the mechanism is poorly understood, ketogenic diets have successfully reduced seizures in many patients since the 1920’s.
In our hospital the ketogenic diet team that monitors the child’s progress includes highly experienced pediatric neurologists, pediatric nutritionists and well trained nurses. - Surgical Treatments
Surgical options are recommended for drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients and should be extremely tailor-made depending on the individual child’s condition. After collecting all of the data via EGG monitoring or, if needed, MRI and/or PET scans, we will only proceed if we can find the spot that produces seizure discharge and can get rid of it with minimal side effects. - Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS)
Our hospital has VNS which is considered an advanced alternative option for drug resistant epilepsy, epilepsy with multiple seizure spots, or epilepsy with unidentifiable seizure spots. This device shortens a seizure’s duration, frequency and severity, depending on the type of seizures that the child has been facing.
Physical and occupational therapy
Some children will experience temporary motor deficits after surgery. This requires optimal preoperative, postoperative and follow-up care, and is the main reason that rehabilitation is an important part of the treatment process for epileptic children. Our Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists Teams work closely with the patient and their family as soon as they are cleared after neurosurgery. Our treatment goal is to maximize cognitive function and obtain the best quality of life for children with epilepsy.
Samitivej Hospital won the ‘Best Hospital in Pediatrics and Best Physiotherapist’ Award from Middle East Healthcare in 2016 and 2017
Children with less severe cases may fully recover after 2 years of medication, but for some complex cases they may need lifelong medication. In the latter case, those with focal seizure whose symptoms may be controlled with ASM may also opt for surgery as a treatment option, allowing a reduction in medication and complications in some children.
Our experienced pediatric neurologists provide proper assistance to all our patients, physically and virtually. The patient and caretakers can discuss their situation with us before they visit through the hospital’s virtual consultation channel to save time and effort and to quickly begin receiving proper treatment.
Samitivej has a team ready to help and provide services for:
- Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion)
- Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital
- Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications)
- Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies under contract with the Hospital)
