Vulnerable children with epilepsy
Vulnerable children with epilepsy are children who, in addition to refractory epilepsy, also have other complaints or disorders, a developmental stagnation and/or difficult behavior. The developmental stagnation may have resulted in an intellectual disability, but not necessarily. The important question is whether the complex, often multiple problems of your child are caused by the epilepsy – possibly a refractory epilepsy syndrome - or whether these problems, including epilepsy, are the result of for instance a brain anomaly or (neurological) disorder. Possibly, we can even speak of a combination of the two.
The medical team, consisting of professionals from multiple disciplines, sets out to gain insight in the nature of the epilepsy, the developmental disorder and other care problems. The problems are dissected, but the cohesion of symptoms is also studied. Kempenhaeghe has the expertise end the facilities to do so.
As multiple factors often play a role in vulnerable children, arriving at a precise diagnosis can be complicated. In part of the children with complex problems, the epilepsy will remain hard to treat. In these cases, epilepsy surgery, nervus vagus stimulation or a ketogenic diet may offer possibilities.
Sometimes no suitable treatment options are available. Or they result in an insufficient effect on the epileptic seizures. In these cases, the long-term support of a team of specialists is required. They offer, each from their own discipline, the know-how to achieve and sustain the best possible quality of life for your child. In every case, our goal is to arrive at a form of treatment and support that fits your child and improves his chances to develop.
To diagnose or clarify the diagnosis, space, time and extra facilities are available for extensive diagnostics. For instance, through further investigation of the epileptic seizures, sleep, cognition, mood and psychomotor development or clinical genetic investigation. To investigate this, a (short) hospitalization may be required. As a parent or attendant, you may accompany your child during hospitalization. You are also allowed to attend most examinations.