Pediatric Epilepsy Center

Advanced epilepsy diagnosis and treatments

Our highly skilled pediatric neurosurgeons specialize in the latest diagnostic tests and therapies to help children experiencing common to complex seizure disorders. Your child benefits from:

• Expert diagnosis through electroencephalograms (EEGs), functional MRIs (fMRI) PET, SPECT, MEG

• Robotic stereotactic assistance (ROSA®) to place stereo electroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes

• Nonsurgical treatment options including anti-seizure medications and dietary therapies

• Surgical procedures using robotic assistance to access difficult-to-reach areas of the brain through very small incisions
  Laser Interstitial Thermoablation (LITT)

• Respective surgery guided by electrocorticography (ECOG)

• Neuromodulation through devices such as Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)

• Access to promising new therapies in clinical trials

Dedicated Clinics

We have specialized clinics for children diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. Our Rett and Related Disorders Clinic is a Center of Excellence, as recognized by the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF). Epileptologists at this clinic have dedicated their careers to providing best-in-class medical care for children living with Rett syndrome.

We also have dedicated clinics for children who have:

• Angelman syndrome

• Autoimmune epilepsy

• Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)

• Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)

A team approach to care

Epilepsy impacts all parts of a child’s life. Our Pediatric Epilepsy Center brings together experts and resources to provide coordinated patient care that supports your family as your child grows.

Your child benefits from:

• Behavioral interventions, to help children experiencing developmental delays or other issues

• Child Life Program, to help children and families understand their epilepsy and treatment plan

• Dietitians, who specialize in dietary therapies like the ketogenic diet to reduce seizures

• Neurogenetics disorders program and genetic counseling, to support families affected by inherited epilepsy

• Neuropsychology program, to evaluate the effects of epilepsy on a child’s learning abilities, speech and behaviors

• Psychiatrists and psychologists and support groups, to help children and families cope with the stress of a chronic illness

• Transition to adult care, for when your child outgrows pediatric care and moves into adulthood

Resources for parents and caregivers

• Epilepsy 101 - Podcasts, articles and more

• New therapy uses SEEG monitoring and neuromodulation to reduce seizures

• Support Group Videos

Resources

• Transitioning to Adult Neurology Guides for Age 15, Age 16, Age 17 and Age 18

Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). It means we offer a complete spectrum of advanced services for your family in one convenient location. Your child benefits from the latest diagnostic tools, surgical and nonsurgical treatments, services like nutritional and psychological counseling, as well as access to clinical trials.

Seizures occur when abnormal electrical impulses overstimulate the brain. There are many different causes for seizures and epilepsy such as brain malformations, genetic, brain injury and infection among others. There are approximately three dozen epilepsy syndromes and at Children’s Health℠ we have the expertise to diagnose and treat all of these. We provide expert care for children with rare and complex types of epilepsy like intractable epilepsy, as well as more common types.

We bring together top pediatric epileptologists (board-certified neurologists with specialized training in epilepsy), neurosurgeons and other experts to provide the therapies and resources your child needs to enjoy the best life possible. We also offer advanced epilepsy services at our Level 3 epilepsy center in Plano.

When you choose Children’s Health, your child receives care at one of the country’s top Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery Programs, as rated by U.S. News & World Report.