Pediatric Epilepsy: Diagnosis and Therapy

The book begins with a discussion of the basic mechanisms of epilepsy, including the pathophysiology of seizures, metabolic considerations and the possible role of excitatory amino acids in epilepsy-related neuropathology. It describes general approaches to diagnosis and treatment, including the classification of newly defined forms of childhood epilepsy, the epidemiology of childhood onset seizures, and such important diagnostic techniques as electroencephalography and neuroimaging. Experts in each area also discuss neonatal seizures, febrile seizures, encephalopathic epilepsy during and after infancy, absence seizures, progressive myoclonus epilepsies, status epilepticus, and neurologic syndromes accompanied by epilepsy. The section on antiepileptic drugs includes an in-depth discussion of dosage form considerations, drug toxicity, teratogenicity of anticonvulsant medication, and drug interactions, with recommendations for optimal combinations when multiple drug therapy is required. Chapters on new antiepileptic drugs and surgical treatment of childhood epilepsy complete this comprehensive presentation. About the Authors: