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Finding triggers?? What causes developmental delays?
Tue, 11/12/2013 - 15:18Topic: Parents & Caregivers
Hello,
I am new to this website and have just been viewing stories, comments, etc. I recently responded to a comment, but feel I have more questions I would like to ask. I am finding it really informative to read through everything although also scary as I did not realize how complex epilepsy is.
My son has been diagnosed with infant epilepsy at 6 months. He had his first 4 seizures though at 5 months. He is now 10 months and is currently still having myoclonic seizures, while on his second medication Keppra. He has had all the tests, EEGs, MRI, CT scan, blood work, urine/stool samples, the works. However the cause is still unknown. Our medical team is still looking into this.
Should I be looking for triggers? Light sensitive, foods, deficiencies, constipation, etc?? Has anyone found factors that seem to help? I have been trying to find some commonality amongst all the seizures as I want to know what seems to be triggering them. There are just so many variables. A woman in my home community said her daughter had a food allergy triggering her seizures. We just had some recent blood work and his iron and vitamin B12 were low. Since all the medication his appetite has gone down and spits out/up fluids and foods. It has been hard to keep him hydrated and full of nutrients. On days when he does have a seizure he is so exhausted he sleeps most of the day and just takes in breast milk.
Since our son has had so many seizures, the neurologist was expecting to see some developmental delays, however when we saw her last month he is developing appropriately for his age. I am wondering what exactly the developmental delays are from or associated with??? Is it from the seizure themselves with the lack of oxygen to the brain?? Our son's seizures are between 1 - 3min long and he comes out of them himself, although exhausted. Or is it from the decreased time to develop appropriately because they sleep so much following a seizure? Or combination of both? Also it sounds like some medications also can attribute to growth and development.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Re: Finding triggers?? What causes developmental delays?
Submitted by mereloaded on Fri, 2013-11-15 - 13:49
Unfortunately, for most there are no causes for epilepsy. Neurology is a vastly unknown field and the only epilepsy tests available are not comprehensive or definitive at all. There is ugh thing as idiopathic epilepsy, that is epilepsy due to unknown causes. Some can be genetic, metabolic... Some others because of a very difficult birth. Since he is very young, it would be impossible to determine triggers. With that being said, it would be a good idea to keep him from toys tht have flashing lights, avoid sudden loud noises to wake him abruptly and also make sure that he doesn't get too hot too fast. Last, keep an watchful eye on fevers as they bring on the seizures. Developmental delays may be exhibited at A later time. Right now since he is so young it is difficult to stablish developmental delays if any. Typically developmental delays can be seen by age two. Typical signs is delayed reach of motor milestones such as walking and poor verbal communication comparatively with peers. Epilepsy may or may not affect your child developmentally. It depends of the type of epilepsy, where in the brain, how long in betwwen seizures. Children brains are instantly growing, adapting and changing, so for some e spontaneous remission is possible, some are only child onset and are grown out, but agin, this is NOT the norm. Why epilepsy affects development. Because the nervous system controls ll functions and when the vein has abnormal activity it may temporarily affect cognitive functions. If the brain has, say, a faulty area, the brin then have to ind other ways to function resulting in possible disfunction in learning or symply learning a different way. Please know that is very possible to have a normal intellect and still have epilepsy. Epilepsy is a very broad condition and it encompasses many different types and severities. Best wishes!