ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in adults and children. Although there is no uniform definition, epilepsy can be thought of as a condition that is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures (Panayiotopoulos 2005). An epileptic seizure is an episode of excessive neuronal activity that interrupts cerebral function. The management of acute seizures and status epilepticus in children are outlined in Chapter 2, Section 5. This chapter will provide a brief overview of the epidemiology, classification and general management of epilepsy in children. The main focus of the chapter will relate to the principles of caring for the child and family, where the child requires surgery for epilepsy.