Patient's question:
Can children's epilepsy be cured? Why do children get epilepsy?Doctor's answer:
Genetic factors: Refers to the genetic susceptibility to epilepsy. A large number of studies have proven that epilepsy is related to genetic factors. Genetics can affect the function of cell membrane ion channels, lower the seizure threshold, and cause neuronal discharge. Research on concordance rates in twins and family EEG studies both suggest that epilepsy susceptibility is an autosomal dominant trait, with the highest penetrance rate between the ages of 5 and 15. Epilepsy syndromes that have been confirmed or hypothesized to be closely related to genetic factors include childhood and juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, childhood benign epilepsy with central temporal spikes, and autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, among others. These are primary generalized or focal epilepsy syndromes, and the genes of some of these syndromes have been localized.Acquired factors: Structural or metabolic abnormalities in the brain caused by acquired factors can produce epileptic foci or lower the seizure threshold. The lesions can be focal or diffuse, static or progressive. Epilepsy caused by such factors is called secondary (or symptomatic) epilepsy. In secondary epilepsy, genetic factors may also play an important role, especially during childhood.
Triggering factors: Epileptic seizures often occur suddenly and without obvious triggers. However, some seizures do have triggering factors. These triggers may appear periodically, such as seizures that are related to endocrine factors or menstruation. Other triggers occur irregularly. Triggers can be natural sensory stimuli in daily life, sudden stimuli, or stimuli induced by the patient themselves. Sometimes, triggers are specific. If seizures only manifest in the presence of certain triggers, they are called reflex epilepsy.
Age factors: The main causes of epilepsy differ at different age stages. Age or the degree of brain maturity not only affects the tendency to have seizures but also influences the type of seizures. The etiology and age distribution characteristics of epilepsy in children are of great significance for the diagnosis and prevention of epilepsy. Sufficient attention must be paid to issues related to brain development, genetics, metabolism, and delivery techniques during the perinatal period, neonatal period, and infancy.