Kurnool KIMS doctors treat 5-year-old suffering from rare form of seizures

Hyderabad: The doctors at KIMS Hospital in Kurnool were recently faced with the task of treating a 5-year-old child with a rare medical challenge, Absence Seizures.

The child’s parents are from Banaganapalli in Nandyal district and are farmers by occupation. They sought immediate medical attention when they noticed that their daughter was experiencing seizures multiple times a day, characterised by brief staring episodes, facial twitching, and eye blinking.

The child was admitted to the KIMS Hospital in Kurnool, where Dr Swetha Rampally, a pediatric neurologist, conducted a thorough examination and offered treatment under the Aarogyasri scheme, entirely free of cost.

The medical evaluation revealed a startling 80 to 100 episodes of Absence Seizures per day.

Brain undergoes a brief loss of awareness

Absence Seizures, although rare, can be challenging to detect, often mistaken for moments of daydreaming. These seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing a brief loss of awareness. This particular variant of Absence Seizures is one of the rarest, affecting only 5-10 children per 100,000.

Dr Swetha Rampally highlighted the critical role of early diagnosis through detailed EEG tests, which can last from 3 to 8 hours. Absence Seizures are typically observed in children aged 4 to 14 years and can be part of benign or more severe forms of epilepsy.

Early diagnosis and management are vital to prevent potential complications, including disruptions in brain function, behavioural changes, sleep disturbances, academic difficulties, and accidents.

The child underwent comprehensive treatment, including brain MRI, CSF analysis, blood and urine metabolic tests, and genetic tests.

Specialised treatment involved a two-week hospital stay, escalating doses of multiple anti-seizure medications, and diet therapy in the form of a Modified Atkins diet, tailored to the child’s weight and blood test results.

The child’s remarkable response to treatment and the diligent care provided by the KIMS Hospital and its medical team have given her a second chance at a healthy life. The parents expressed their gratitude to Dr Swetha and the entire medical staff at KIMS Hospital, Kurnool, for their dedicated efforts in ensuring their daughter’s well-being.