Under the Rainbow | Summer 2006

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U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I TA L S O F C L E V E L A N D • R A I N B O W B A B I E S & C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I TA L

T H E

L AT E S T

IN

C H I LDRE N ’ S

SHENANDOAH ROBINSON, MD, Neurosurgeon, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital

When Is Surgery an Option for Epilepsy?

C

hildhood epilepsy is a complex condition to manage. Some seizure disorders persist for unknown reasons, which can be both frightening and hard for parents to understand. Seizures that don’t respond to treatment by multiple medications are called

ask rainbow ... Rainbow’s experts are here to answer your health care questions! You can contact us by phone at 216-844-RAINBOW or e-mail us at ask@rainbowbabies.org, or visit www.rainbowbabies.org

intractable, explains Rainbow Neurosurgeon Shenandoah Robinson, MD. “Parents of a child who has had seizures for more than two years that are not well controlled by medicines should ask their pediatrician to see a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy,” she says. Unfortunately, she says, many parents are still under the impression that their child will “outgrow” the seizures. Seizures may resolve spontaneously, but they sometimes don’t. Children should be evaluated for epilepsy surgery if their seizures aren’t under control after trying two to three anticonvulsant medications, Dr. Robinson advises. “Seizures aren’t just an inconvenience,” she says. “Some parents think of epilepsy

H E A LTH

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SUM M ER

as a manageable chronic condition similar to asthma or diabetes.” Uncontrolled epilepsy, however, and the need for multiple medications, can negatively impact a child’s educational and social development. Epilepsy also may worsen with time and become life-threatening. It has been documented that some children with poorly controlled epilepsy lose several IQ (Intelligence Quotient) points every few years. On a positive note, Dr. Robinson says, about 75 percent of kids achieve excellent seizure control with medications. But for that remaining 25 percent, finding a solution should be pursued aggressively because earlier seizure control optimizes a child’s development. Surgery for intractable seizures offers children the opportunity to have a significant reduction in seizure frequency or even cure them. Surgery also can decrease or eliminate the need for medication. With better seizure control, children typically experience vast improvements in their ability to learn and interact with others. At Rainbow, a dedicated pediatric epilepsy team cares for children undergoing surgery for seizures in a familycentered environment, as part of the University Hospitals Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Each child undergoes an individualized presurgical evaluation using the latest advances in clinical management and technology. “Our comprehensive approach strives to obtain better seizure control, improve the child’s quality of life, and optimize the child’s future,” Dr. Robinson says. ■

CELEBRATING 140 YEARS

of Caring for Cleveland.

2006

inside this issue: Is Blood Conservation the Right Choice for Your Child? page 2

Prevention Is the Best Medicine for Concussions page 3

New Treatments Straighten Out Scoliosis page 5

Ask the Doctor page 7

SEARCH HEALTH INFO ONLINE For easy access to Rainbow physicians and in-depth health information for you and your child — including a new symptom checker — visit us online:

www.rainbowbabies.org


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Under the Rainbow | Summer 2006 by davidpsu - Issuu