Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: encephalitis My daughter aged six was admitted to hospital after a first time seizure with a high temperature after an illness of approx two weeks duration(Given antibiotic). While in hospital she suffered three futher seizures within an eight hour period. She was given diazepam. An initial EEG confirmed the suggested diagnosis of encephalitis and she was treated with intravenous acyclovir. Lumbar punctures and blood tests failed to identify the cause of the encephalitis and she continued to have seizures which were treated with a loading dose of Phenytoin. She then began to have repeated absences and was confused and did not know members of her own family. Her short term memory over the period in hospital was very poor with constant repetition of questions. On her return home she has made good progress with little after effects apart from weight gain and severe headaches which did not respond to pizotifen, the prescribed drug. She has since had two seizures one of which was status and has been on the drug ethosuximide which seems to be controlling the headaches. After the seizures she came round normally with no confusion and no problems of recogniion. Nine months later her consultant asked for a second opinion on her EEGs(her EEG suggests absence seizures but she presents with full seizures)and the result of this request was that the initial diagnosis may have been wrong and that she did not have encephalitis after all and that whwn she was originally admitted that she may have been suffering from epilepsy. Is this possible considering her long term level of confusion and her two week temperature(39+)after the onset of seizures. ___ ___ Dear Anne, Febrile seizures are not uncommon in children and are usually an isolated incident It sounds like your daughter may have epilepsy, or recurrent seizure activity. Speak to your daughter's physician for some clear answers as to the type You may opt for a consultation from an Epilepsy Neurologist at the Cleveland Good luck.
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