Temporal Lobe Epilepsy In Toddlers

Among the various health issues that affect the little ones, temporal lobe epilepsy is a disorder that cannot be ignored. Most parents are not aware of this syndrome. Temporal lobe epilepsy can be seen even in 12-month-old baby. Take a look at what this disorder is.

It’s only obvious that your baby means the world to you. You can’t bear even a small problem that could affect his or her health. However, no matter how hard you try, there are certain disorders that can affect any child. Temporal lobe epilepsy is one such problem. Do you know what this means? Find out here.

What is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Children

As the name suggests, this is a form of epilepsy that causes acute seizures arise from the temporal lobe of the brain. This is also known as psychomotor epilepsy as the temporal lobe is generally associated with emotions and other psychological aspects.

Different Types of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Children

Temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with the temporal lobe of the brain. Since this lobe mainly influences the emotions and memory of a person, the seizures that occur during this disorder could actually produce varying emotions like anger, fear and joy. It could also cause various memory related problems. Based on the exact place in the brain from where the seizures originates, temporal lobe epilepsy is categorised into two types.

1. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Mesial Temporal Sclerosis

Though this type of epilepsy is more common in adults, the symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy are even evident in a 12 months old baby. In such a case, the child might suddenly stop what he is doing and stare at the space. You can also see him smacking his lips, swallowing and picking in the air for no apparent reason. These seizures simple partial seizures and can last as long as 90seconds. After such a seizure, the child might appear a bit confused and may display some problem in speaking for some time.

2. Familial Temporal Lobe Epilespy

This epilepsy becomes more evident during adolescence or adulthood. In this temporal lobe epilepsy, the person can suffer from simple partial seizures with certain types of autonomic and psychic symptoms. Sometimes the seizures can be quite complex.

What Causes Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Toddlers – The Underlying Reason

The causes of temporal lobe epilepsy in toddlers could be many. This includes problems like a tumour, congenital malformation in the brain, tangling of the blood vessels, mesial temporal sclerosis etc. Consulting your doctor in case of seizures would help you in ascertaining the cause.

Symptoms of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Toddlers – What To Look For

A toddler suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy could have simple partial seizures and could feel an uneasy feeling in the pit of the stomach. He might also show signs of fear, anxiety, joy etc. Sometimes he may also display certain weird mannerisms like lip smacking, swallowing, picking at his clothes, trying to pick something from the air etc. The seizure can last for as long as one and a half minutes. A child might find it difficult to speak or to focus after a seizure.

Diagnosis of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Toddlers

Generally, temporal lobe epilepsy is diagnosed based on the types of seizure that the toddler has. The doctor may also advice you to get EEG, MRI and brain imaging to get a clear picture of the underlying cause.

Treatment of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Toddlers

In case the doctor finds that there is no apparent reason for the seizures, he would prescribe anti epileptic drugs to treat the problem. However, he would recommend surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy, if the child does not respond to these drugs or is suffering from mesial temporal sclerosis or other brain-related problem. Most of the time this is the best way to treat temporal lobe epilepsy in toddlers who do not respond to medication.

Since this problem occurs due to genetic disorders or internal problems, prevention of temporal lobe epilepsy in toddlers is not possible. However, early diagnosis and treatment can help in completely eradicating the underlying cause and restoring your little one’s good health. So watch out for any untoward behaviour in your child. In case you find anything amiss, seek medical help immediately.