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EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2008 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1 |
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Pediatric epilepsy: New challenges.....
Suresh Sankhla
JPN, Editor, India
Correspondence Address:
Suresh Sankhla
A-503, Chaitanya Towers, Appasaheb Marathe Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai – 400 025
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1817-1745.40583
How to cite this article:
Sankhla S. Pediatric epilepsy: New challenges..... J Pediatr Neurosci 2008;3:1 |
Epilepsy is among the most frequently occurring neurologic disorders in children. It affects millions worldwide and presents as a major medical and health problem in the pediatric age group. Not only are the consequences of pediatric epilepsy serious and life-threatening but a large number of younger individuals suffering from epilepsy are also exposed to a considerably high risk of long-term physical disabilities. Recent experience suggests that epilepsy and its medical treatment can have a significant impact on the development of the brain and the neurobehavioral repertoire of the developing child. This impact, in turn, has significant consequences for education and psychosocial adjustment over the childhood period as well as individual and societal costs in adulthood. Intractable seizures, in particular, often lead to an interference of the developmental process and an intellectual and psychosocial decline. It is for this reason that early evaluation and appropriate treatment should be pursued to mitigate the long-term effects of epilepsy.
The physiological and psychosocial outcomes of pediatric epilepsy are also important from the public health perspective. The immense social stigma associated with it often makes its medical management difficult and more challenging. Together, these issues place new demands on the physicians of today's era who are involved with the management of children with epilepsy. More than ever before, therefore, the need is felt to master the delivery of best care for children who have persistent seizures.
The purpose of this special issue is to review the basic pathophysiological concepts, new developments and current therapeutic approaches in the management of pediatric epilepsy. The authors, all recognized experts in the field, have brought together overviews of mechanisms and classification of epilepsy, diagnostic neuroimaging, invasive and noninvasive neuroelectrophysiological investigations, histopathology, pharmacotherapy, epilepsy surgery and neuromodulation procedures. Special attention has been paid to the surgical techniques and our experience in the surgical management of epilepsy in India. I wish to extend my gratitude to all authors who contributed to this issue. It was an honor to assemble the extraordinary work from this group of talented and extraordinary colleagues. It is our hope that this issue of the Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences will serve as a helpful resource for those who care for children with epilepsy.
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