Kids With Epilepsy Face Higher Early Death Risk, Study Reports
Coordinated care is essential for reducing death rates, experts say
"This study confirms what pediatric neurologists have recognized for a long time, namely that the risk of death from the epilepsy itself and the underlying disorders is a serious problem," said Dr. Michael Duchowny, director of the Epilepsy Center at Miami Children's Hospital.
Duchowny said these children need access to comprehensive medical care and social services. "People who work with these individuals and their families need to understand the risks involved, and there needs to be a greater community awareness," he said.
Janice Buelow is the vice president for programs and research at the Epilepsy Foundation. She said, "This report will help underscore the risk associated with children and epilepsy."
According to Buelow, "We need to be vigilant in caring for them." That includes controlling seizures and addressing their other medical problems, as well as their social and psychological problems that affect their development, she said.
Parents need to be assertive with their child's doctors, teachers, school nurses and other caregivers about their child's epilepsy and other medical or developmental problems, Buelow said.
Kids With Epilepsy Face Higher Early Death Risk
Coordinated care is essential for reducing death rates, experts say
"This study confirms what pediatric neurologists have recognized for a long time, namely that the risk of death from the epilepsy itself and the underlying disorders is a serious problem," said Dr. Michael Duchowny, director of the Epilepsy Center at Miami Children's Hospital.
Duchowny said these children need access to comprehensive medical care and social services. "People who work with these individuals and their families need to understand the risks involved, and there needs to be a greater community awareness," he said.
Janice Buelow is the vice president for programs and research at the Epilepsy Foundation. She said, "This report will help underscore the risk associated with children and epilepsy."
According to Buelow, "We need to be vigilant in caring for them." That includes controlling seizures and addressing their other medical problems, as well as their social and psychological problems that affect their development, she said.
Parents need to be assertive with their child's doctors, teachers, school nurses and other caregivers about their child's epilepsy and other medical or developmental problems, Buelow said.
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