Up to 40% of cases of epilepsy in children can be prevented, according to José Mariel Pérez Ramírez, head of the Encephalography Service at the Children's Hospital of Mexico “Federico Gómez” (HIMFG). The specialist stressed that a timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to prevent this disease, which affects many families.
Pérez Ramírez pointed out that the lack of maternal-fetal medical care and premature births are factors that contribute to epilepsy. In the context of the International Epilepsy Day, she stressed the importance of providing constant care to children, since the disease can be diagnosed late if attention is not paid to the first symptoms, such as spasms or disconnection.
Causes and effective treatment for childhood epilepsy
The main causes of childhood epilepsy are perinatal hypoxia (60% of cases) and factors such as teenage pregnancies, maternal infections or accidents. Hypoxia refers to the lack of oxygen during birth, which affects the baby's brain.
Furthermore, appropriate treatment, with specific medications and early diagnosis, can lead to remission in 70 to 80% of cases. The specialist stressed the importance of not interrupting treatment, since epilepsy can be effectively controlled with a disciplined approach.
Training for health and prevention professionals at the national level
The expert also highlighted the need to train general practitioners and primary care physicians in the early detection of epilepsy. This will be done through workshops and courses, whether in person, remotely or hybrid. The training will allow for increased awareness of preventive measures, mainly maternal-fetal care.
Finally, Pérez Ramírez called on pregnant women to receive adequate medical care so that their children are born in the best conditions. This would significantly reduce the risk of diseases such as epilepsy in childhood.
