Childhood Epilepsy: Management from Diagnosis to Remission

by Richard Appleton, Peter Camfield

Overview

Sixty percent of the epilepsies start in childhood, and most of the clinically significant and often life-changing aspects of the disease occur at this time. Childhood epilepsy is frequently a complex disorder, demanding integrated medical, educational and community services. Its treatment encompasses acute and disability medicine. The many types or syndromes of childhood epilepsy present both diagnostic and management challenges. Although many children with epilepsy will be referred to specialist units, the majority will initially present to paediatricians and paediatric neurologists. This book provides a practical, problem-oriented manual to help clinicians with diagnosis, evaluation and management. This book addresses epilepsy as an evolving disorder from presentation, through active disease and finally to either spontaneous remission or a chronic lifelong condition. Structured on the child's age at presentation, Childhood Epilepsy offers a practical overview for paediatricians, paediatric neurologists and primary care practitioners who treat children with epilepsy in their daily practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521763257
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/28/2011
Pages:	166
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Richard Appleton is Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, the Roald Dahl EEG Unit, Paediatric Neurosciences Foundation, Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, and Clinical Lecturer, University of Liverpool, UK.

Peter Camfield is Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. The only place to start: making the diagnosis of epilepsy Peter Camfield and Richard Appleton; 2. Epilepsy beginning in infancy Stewart Macleod and Elaine Wyllie; 3. Epilepsy beginning in middle childhood Elaine Wirrell and John H. Livingston; 4. Epilepsy beginning in adolescence Tim Martland and Carol Camfield; 5. Risks and hazards of epilepsy Ingrid Tuxhorn and J. Helen Cross; 6. Status epilepticus Richard Appleton and Peter Camfield; 7. The prevention of epilepsy and its consequences Richard Appleton and Peter Camfield; 8. Medico-legal aspects of epilepsy Richard Appleton and Peter Camfield; Glossary; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Korwyn Williams, MD, PhD (Phoenix Children's Hospital)
Description: This is concise review of the evaluation and management of pediatric epilepsy by many preeminent pediatric epilepsy specialists.
Purpose: It is meant to be a comprehensive review of the evaluation and management of epilepsy in children (the special case of febrile seizures is also discussed) for pediatricians. In some parts of the world, pediatricians are the primary caregivers for children with epilepsy due to the dearth of child neurologists. The editors have done a very nice job of compiling a readable, useful guide to epilepsy management.
Audience: Even though it was written with general pediatricians in mind, it is certainly a good educational tool for trainees as well.
Features: The editors divide the book generally into infancy, childhood, and adolescence, touching on the issues unique to each age range. Chapters also consider medicolegal issues, risks of epilepsy, and status epilepticus. Given the authority and experience of the authors, it is particularly helpful that they were willing to take a point of view on treatment choices. Official society guidelines often restrict themselves to statements that can be supported by scientific evidence. That is appropriate, but it often leaves a clinician frustrated because of the ensuing inchoateness of the statements.
Assessment: This is a very well-written, well-organized, and topical review of pediatric epilepsy written by a well-respected international roster of pediatric epileptologists.

Doody's Review Service