Epilepsy in children: hope through new treatment methods!

Epilepsy in children: hope through new treatment methods!

In Austria, epilepsy in children and adolescents is increasingly becoming the focus. According to Primarius Robert Birnbacher from the LKH Villach, not all cases are the same because the symptoms vary greatly. Particularly alarming are seizures and developmental disorders, which often manifest as difficulties in attention and concentration. “A short absence can also be a sign,” explains Birnbacher. Around 750 children in Carinthia are affected every year, making epilepsy the most common neurological disease in this age group. In order to find the appropriate therapy, affected children can visit the special outpatient clinics at the KABEG hospitals in Klagenfurt and Villach, where a precise diagnosis can be made.

Therapy and quality of life

Over 75% of epilepsy cases can be successfully treated with medication, allowing affected children to live a normal life. But the challenges remain, because with epilepsy, children have to take special precautions in everyday life - be it when swimming or in traffic. Primarius Birnbacher emphasizes that many children can experience improvement with puberty. One example is 11-year-old Simon, who, two years after his first seizure, is now medication-free and actively participating in social life again. “I’m doing very well,” says Simon, relieved. Research shows that genetic factors play a crucial role in the development of the disease.

Additional information about treatment options and health offers is available on IQWiG health information. These resources are intended to help you better understand the advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic approaches. In a conversation with specialists, individual solutions can be discussed, such as gesundheitsinformation.de reported.