Not Recognising Epileptic Seizures Can Lead To Life-long Disabilities: Neurologists
Ahead of the International Epilepsy Day, neurologists from Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, urged more awareness among people, and even doctors, about recognising epileptic seizures in children early and starting treatment without delay.
They also expressed concern about the widespread practice of adolescent women patients of epilepsy not being taken to a doctor for treatment, as parents fear this will harm their daughter’s marriage prospects.
Dr Pratibha Singhi, Head, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad said, “Late diagnosis of epileptic children is a major area of concern. Their brain is still developing, and recurring seizures at this stage can lead to life-long impairment. So, it’s very important to recognize seizures in children early and start treatment without loss of time. However, even after treatment starts, compliance becomes another issue. For most children whose seizures get controlled, the parents stop their medication, thinking that the child has become fine. People should realize that anti-seizure medication (ASM) should never be stopped or decreased without consulting the doctor, otherwise the child may get bad seizures again.”
Dr Sanjay Pandey, Head, Department of Neurology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad said, “There are many stigmas associated with epilepsy in India. People avoid taking female children, especially adolescents, to a doctor because they think this might impair their marriage prospects. This can have serious consequences, especially during pregnancy when there is a risk of the unborn child also developing neurological disorders due to epileptic attacks of the mother.”
“We really need to get the message across that epilepsy is nothing to be ashamed of, and that many people with epilepsy have gone on to achieve great heights in the world. The stigma related to epilepsy needs to go now, so that patients continue to take proper treatment and can live a life without shame,” he said.
Unmarried young women not being taken for treatment because that will negatively impact their marriage prospects is another area of concern, say experts of Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
