Al Yazia is a 6-year-old girl whose teachers have suggested that her parents take to a pediatrician. They have noticed that she seems to have problems listening and to be daydreaming a lot in class. The pediatrician asks whether her parents have also seen her daydream. Her mother has, but has not thought much about it. However, more recently, it seems to have been happening more frequently. On direct questioning by the pediatrician, Al Yazia ‘s mother thinks that these daydreams or ‘trances’ as she calls them sometimes occur when Al Yazia’s is in the middle of doing or saying something, and they interrupt her activity. Al Yazia’s birth and early medical history, including her development, have been normal. There was a history of epilepsy on her father’s side of the family. Her younger brother and older sister are well.
The pediatrician referred Al Yazia to a pediatric neurologist to establish the diagnosis. The pediatric neurologist, Dr. Imad Yassin provided in the Pediatric Neurology Clinic at The heart Medical center, Al Ain took detailed history from Al Yazia’s parents and examined Al Yazia thoroughly, looking for any abnormalities, such as abnormal skin pigmentations (café au lait spots), or any abnormal neurological signs. A video-electroencephalogram (EEG) was performed, while Al Yazia was breathing heavily (hyperventilation) and the pediatric neurologist concluded the Al Yazia has a condition called ABSENCE EPILEPSY.
The pediatric neurologist discussed the diagnosis with Al Yazia and her parents. The discussion focused on the likely cause (genetic), potential implications of frequent absences for Al Yazia (impaired concentration and therefore impaired learning, possible injury with continuing seizures), low risk of her developing other types of seizures (particularly tonic−clonic seizures) and likely response to anti-epileptic medication. This information is provided in the Pediatric Neurology Clinic at The heart Medical center in a suitable format. A comprehensive care plan is be agreed with Al Yazia and her parents. Adequate anti-epileptic medicine is offered to Al Yazia, explaining in details the possible side effects which may occur.