DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Parents who have children experiencing episodes of seizures are urged to immediately seek medical consultations to further prevent brain complications.

Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) pediatrician Dr. Gea Shanine Sedayao said “We stress or give emphasis to treating these seizure episodes kasi pwede itong magkaroon ng great damage sa brain na pweding hindi na maka-recover, or complications tulad ng neurodevelopmental problems, yung iba nagkakaroon ng cerebral palsy (because it can cause great damage in the brain that may not be able to recover, or complications like neurodevelopmental problems, others are having cerebral palsy).”

During the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Sept. 18, Dr. Sedayao encouraged the parents of those children who are already diagnosed with epilepsy and are on anti-seizure medications, to have regular medical consultations as well.

“Tinitingnan natin yung dosage, at least every month, chini-check by weight para ma-address, para ma-control yung seizure. Kasi kapag hindi tama yung dosage ng ating anti-seizure medications then hindi nagfo-folow up, this can trigger seizure episodes to a more frequently (We check the dosage, at least every month, we check it by weight of the patient to address and control the seizures. Because when the dosage of our anti-seizure medications is not correct, then there are no follo-ups, this can trigger seizure episodes to a more frequent),” she explained.

Dr. Sedayao also advised the parents whenever their kids experience status epilepticus,  a prolonged and continuousseizure that occurs for more than 30 minutes, to rush them to the nearest hospital, as death in this kind of seizure is higher.

However, she said that a seizure becomes epilepsy if it is unprovoked or occurs without triggers and occurs several times.

In Davao region, Dr. Sedayao said that both seizures and epilepsy are prevalent, especially among children - as young as newborns, noting a huge number of cases among this age group.

For instance, in Pediatrics Neurology in SPMC alone, she said that they recorded two to three admissions of seizures per day, usually complex partial seizures or caused by bacterial meningitis.

Dr. Sedayao said that seizures have various causes such as infections, metabolism issues, tumors, poison, or other metabolic disorders.

"For a seizure to happen nagkakaroon ng imbalance sa GABA receptors. Ang causes nito, we have metabolic and that includes electrolytes imbalance, including sodium, potassium, and calcium," she explained.

She added that although the use of gadgets among children does not cause seizures, its prolonged use can trigger epileptic episodes, especially the flashing or blinking lights of the gadgets.

She emphasized the importance of proper nutrition among kids, especially maintaining a healthy metabolism and normal amounts of electrolytes in the body.

She also encouraged physical activities among kids with their parents instead of spending time with gadgets. Parents are urged as well to have their newborn babies get immunized to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases and infections.

Dr. Sedayao advised the parents of kids with seizure episodes or diagnosed with epilepsy to visit their neuroclinic at SPMC for assessment and proper management. (ASO/CLC, PIA-XI)