Hi,
When you say medications are you referring to a specific type of drug?
Any form of drug therapy may have its own specific effects on the body.This varies with
-how the drug was administered ( oral, intravenous , intramuscular)
-how fast the drug is broken down by the body and which organs are directly involved (usually liver and kidneys)
-drug's ability to cross certain innate barriers within the body i.e. blood and brain barriers
-the drug's interaction with other medications
-the person's age, weight and degree of compliance
-length of time the drug was taken
The effect of medications on children may be affected on whether certain drugs have been taken by their mothers prior to birth. Some medications may lead to birth defects or what we call congenital anomalies when taken at a specific time of pregnancy( usually in the first 3 months). Medications requiring chronic use ( ie.maintenance meds for seizures ) may have subtle effects on a child's behaviour and learning. Thus, children taking medications have to be supervised closely by their physicians for any need to withdraw or adjust the dose of the drug.
Just keep the positive attitude.Your niece needs that from you. I hope this information helps.
Keep me posted.
Hi
firstly accept my heartiest thanks for responding really appreciated.
My niece lives in India an diam stayng in USA.
The thinkg i would like ot mention is that she is being taken care of 24*7 like all her wish list and whatever she wants is fulfilled you can say sort of spoil child.
How old is she when she started having the episodes?
She started having these a week back.
-How old is she now?
She is 7 yrs old.
-is there any history of seizure disorders or congenital anomalies in the family?
No history on both sides.
-are there any remarkable circumstances surrounding her birth i.e. premature rupture of membrane
No remarkable circumstances surrounding her birth.
-any recent infections,head injuries ?
No recent finections n head injuries.
-how is your niece's level of development? Are her motor and social skills at par with others of her age?
Her social skills are at par with others of her age
-any muscular spasms or loss of consciousness associated with the episodes?
No such spasms .We had shown her to a neurologist an dhe has given her some medicine and ruled out any abnormalities.Please suggest.What is the impact of medicines on child's devlopment?
Hi,
Do you live with your niece?I just have a few questions regarding her condition:
-How old is she when she started having the episodes?
-How old is she now?
-is there any history of seizure disorders or congenital anomalies in the family?
-are there any remarkable circumstances surrounding her birth i.e. premature rupture of membrane
-any recent infections,head injuries ?
-how is your niece's level of development? Are her motor and social skills at par with others of her age?
-any muscular spasms or loss of consciousness associated with the episodes?
A laughing seizure appears to be a highly probable differential to consider for your niece's condition.Gelastic seizure as it is called medically is usually associated with anatomical abnormalities in the brain.This may be associated with some growths or neoplasms like hypothalamic hamartomas or migrational abnormalities( caused by abnormal cellular movement during embryonic development) like nodular heterotopias.Abnormalities in the frontal and temporal lobes ( the brain is divided anatomically into lobes which perform specific functions) may be associated with gelastic seizures.Pachygyria which is considered as a migrational abnormality of the brain refers to thickened convolutions of the brain's surface.Pachygyria is also associated with seizure disorders and other genetic anomalies. These anatomical characteristics may be detected through an MRI. An impression of your niece's MRI mentioned both heterotopia and pachygyria.
Most EEG results for patients with gelastic seizures do not show any abnormalities.I suggest you consult a pediatric neurologist . A normal EEG may not entirely rule out a seizure.
Further functional tests might be requested for her condition.
Continue to reassure yor niece and watch out for any difficulty of breathing or loss of consciousness that might accompany the episodes.
I hope this helps.