can we wait 5 months?

[akdar06]

My 6 month old granddaughter has had 3 seizures in the last month. They start with her eyes rolling up to the right and her entire body shaking. It typically lasted 30-60 seconds. She is alert and active after the episode. So I wasn't even sure she had a seizure. So I took her to her dr. today and was told she will be referred to a pediatric neurologist but that the wait period will be 5 months! Her development  so far is on target and the only other concern is that her right eye moves a little to the right when she looks at an object in front of her. I am was told to keep a log of the seizures and document how long they last, what happens before and after the episodes and what her environment is, like loud noises etc, whatever is going on around her at the time.  After researching I am concerned that a up to a 5 month wait is too long. Can  the cause of the seizures hurt her even more with no treatment or no real diagnosis and if it is not diagnosed as early as possible? I have her next appointment in two months. Please help me make informed decisions about her care and if we can wait 5 months to see a specialist. Also, her mother used cocaine during the first 5 months of her pregnancy. She had a normal labor and delivery, and the baby weighed 7 lbs 6 oz at birth. She has had no other health problems.  Will it be safe to wait and only document the seizures or should I find another doctor who will be more aggressive in finding or at least ruling out causes for these seizures?

[Dr Santos]

Hi Akdar06,

Being a healthy baby, chances are the seizures are not serious. However, if the seizure is severe with loss of consciousness, lasts for more than 5 minutes and  difficulty in breathing, you should bring the patient to the ER immediately for proper management.

Take care and kisses to your granddaughter

[Nicole1111]

Waiting for another 5 months in a 3 month old seems a little ridiculous to me...  The first visit should be soon (within the next month or two), and THEN a 5 month wait for the next one seems reasonable.

If I were you, I'd take her to the ER the next time she has a seizure.  When she's discharged they'll ask you to make a followup appointment, and the neurology office will be much more likely to make a "quick" appointment hearing that it's a followup to an ER visit.  Good luck.

Nicole

[Dr Santos]

Hi akdar06,

How are you? How is your granddaughter? It’s been a month since you wrote. Had there been any seizure during this time? Convulsions in babies and young children are surprisingly common. Luckily, they usually don't signal anything serious. Usually, babies suddenly becomes unresponsive and stare vacantly, or seems to be twitching
involuntarily, she may be having a mild seizure, which usually lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes.  However, if the baby becomes unconscious, falls to the floor, and twitches or flails, she may be having a more serious seizure.  It is important to turn the baby on her side to prevent her from choking on her own saliva.  Make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.   In your next visit to your doctor, he may evaluate the baby for an electroencephalograph (EEG) to record her brain's electrical activity to know if what kind of seizure present and what kind of medications, if needed.  You can learn more about this through this link: http://www.babycenter.com/0_seizure_10907.bc

I hope this helps. Take care and please do update us.