Epilepsy In Children Autism Risk

Epilepsy In Children Autism Risk one of the state that is often associated with autism is epilepsy. People with autism have a greater risk of having epilepsy compared with children who have autism. Involvement of brain disorders in autism has been demonstrated by examination of brain anatomy and structure, examination of the chemicals in the brain and various imaging examinations (imaging). But none have considered the cause of autism surely. "As many as 40 percent of children with autism also have epilepsy, whereas the risk of autism in children is not only about 1-2 percent. Instead of children with specific epilepsy is often accompanied by symptoms of autism," said Dr Hardiono D Pusponegoro, SpA (K) in the event Care for Autism Expo 2010, in Building Sucofindo, Jakarta, Saturday (17/4/2010). Dr Hardiono adding and seizure is a temporary change of control of consciousness, behavior, motor activity, sensation or autonomous functions. This is caused by the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain overload. If seizures occur more than 15 minutes long regarded as a seizure, whereas if it lasts more than 30 minutes referred to as status epilepticus. Children with some special circumstances such as tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella, Down's syndrome, Landau Kleffner syndrome and electrical status epilepticus during slow-sleep may have autism and epilepsy together. A child without febrile seizures that are seen for the first time referred to as a first unprovoked seizure. As many as 20 percent of children who experience these seizures will have seizures again. If it had twice had seizures for no reason it is called epilepsy. Epileptic seizures can be seen as a general whole body or just one side of the (partial) body only. When a child has seizures without cause two or more times, then a doctor may perform electroencephalography (EEG). Based on this examination can be known to the electrical activity of brain nerve cells. Because the EEG examination performed when the child is not exposed to attack, so much as 10-20 percent of children showed a normal EEG. "An EEG is done routinely in children with autism. EEG is useful only if the child has epilepsy or regression (regression). And also there is no evidence that the EEG abnormalities without seizures may worsen the symptoms of autism," he added. A long-term study conducted on 108 children with autism, acquired at the age of 17-40 years about 38 percent have epilepsy. Epilepsy is more common in people with autism are caused by the cause clear medical and first seizures most often occur at the age of 3-7 years. "The attack is most often experienced by children with autism is the absence, the attack stunned by the sudden and happened a dozen times a day. This condition is easy to treat," said the doctor from the division of child neurological department of pediatrics faculty of medicine. Dr Hardiono said many autistic children who show behavioral hyperactivity and other behavioral disorders, not all drugs can be used for children with autism and must consider the possible side effects of treatment assignment. Because some drugs often lead to increased child hyperactivity and other behavioral problems. "But one important thing to remember is do not ever stop epilepsy medication abruptly or on its own, because it can cause seizures are more severe and difficult to overcome," he added.