Seizure disorders

At some time in their lives, about 6% of the population of the U.S. will have a seizure. Over half of these seizures occur in early childhood, associated with a high fever or head injury. Usually, these are single episodes that never recur and do not require mediation. Recurrence of seizures is best predicted by abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs) obtained shortly after the seizure episodes. Persons with repeated seizures have a seizure disorder, also called epilepsy. About 50% of all children with a seizure disorder have normal intelligence; the other half have various degrees of intellectual disability. Conversely, among children with developmental disabilities, the prevalence of seizure disorders is 16% in those with mental retardation, 25% in children with cerebral palsy, and 25% in children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Children with seizure disorders have a high incidence of learning disabilities and behavior and psychological problems. Seizures in children without other developmental disabilities are generally well controlled with aniepileptic medication, and these drugs can usually be stopped if the child has no seizures for 2 years. However, children with multiple developmental disabilities in addition to seizure disorders often have more complex seizures patterns that are more difficult to control and they may require prolonged medication.

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Services and Programs

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder - An internet community and statewide helpline
Phone, web, and print resources in English and Spanish to connect the Tennessee disability community with service providers. Referral services, free of cost, are provided to persons with disabilities, family members, service providers, and advocates.
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Families, friends and service providers share their stories about people living with disability in Tennessee.

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Links and Resources

Epilepsy Foundation of America
The Epilepsy Foundation of America® is the national voluntary agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the almost 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure.
Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders page in Family Village Library
Links and information from Family Village concerning Epilepsy.
Kevin C, Ess Research Laboratory
The Kevin C, Ess Research Laboratory studies the neurobiology of progenitor cells, specifically the mechanisms by which neural progenitors make cell fate decisions during development.
National Institute Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Epilepsy
The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to reduce the burden of neurological disease - a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world.
Seizures - Health Library
Information and resources from the health library concerning seizures.

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