Patient's question:
The child is still young and is prone to catching colds and fever. Usually, intravenous fluids are required. Can intravenous fluids cause infant epilepsy?Doctor's answer:
It is recommended to visit the neurology department of a hospital for an electroencephalogram (EEG) and CT scan. This will help identify the underlying issue, whether it is primary or secondary epilepsy, and the specific type of epilepsy for targeted treatment.The treatment of epilepsy involves both etiological treatment and medication. If a clear cause is identified and can be resolved, targeted etiological treatment should be chosen. If no clear cause is found or the cause cannot be resolved, medication is the only option.
Based on the frequency of your epilepsy seizures, you will likely need long-term treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Antiepileptic drugs are categorized into traditional antiepileptic drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, valproic acid) and new-generation antiepileptic drugs (e.g., levetiracetam, topiramate). There is no significant difference in efficacy between them, but new-generation drugs generally have fewer side effects and higher safety, though they are more expensive.
It is crucial not to abruptly stop taking antiepileptic drugs, and switching between different medications should also be done by gradually reducing the dosage. It is advisable to stick to a single medication and avoid frequent changes, as this may lead to an increase in the frequency of seizures.