Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Oct 2020
Case ReportsNeonatal SCN2A encephalopathy: A peculiar recognizable electroclinical sequence.
Sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 2 (SCN2A) gene encodes the Nav1.2 subunit of voltage-gated sodium channel in pyramidal neurons. SCN2A gain-of-function mutations are identified more and more often with gene panels and whole exome sequencing. Phenotype ranges from benign neonatal or infantile seizures to severe epileptic encephalopathy. Although large series of patients targeting genetic background point out two main phenotypes with SCN2A encephalopathy, Ohtahara syndrome and malignant migrating partial seizures in infancy (EMPSI), we noticed that in fact, a peculiar clinical and electroencephalogram (EEG) sequence distinct from these syndromes should suggest the diagnosis early. ⋯ Neonatal SCN2A encephalopathy has a recognizable phenotype starting soon after birth with alternating partial motor seizures evolving to infantile spasms and a discontinuous EEG pattern. Seizures improve spontaneously in the first year of life. This electroclinical sequence should indicate the search of SCN2A mutation and suggest the administration of sodium channel blockers.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Oct 2020
Awareness of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy among parents of children with epilepsy in a tertiary center.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the second leading neurological cause of potential years of lifelost after stroke. Despite growing numbers of studies on social aspects of epilepsy, there is a paucity of research on the awareness of SUDEP among the parents of children with epilepsy (CWE), especially in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge of parents of the CWE regarding SUDEP in the tertiary setting. ⋯ Our data suggest that knowledge about SUDEP among parents with CWE found inadequate in Turkey. There should be much effort to inform parents and caregivers in epilepsy clinics on SUDEP, which may help to reduce the associated risk factors.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Oct 2020
ReviewBridging the healthcare gap: Building the case for epilepsy virtual clinics in the current healthcare environment.
Access to quality healthcare remains a challenge that is complicated by mounting pressures to control costs, and now, as we witness, the unprecedented strain placed on our healthcare delivery systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges in healthcare access have driven a need for innovative approaches ensuring connectivity to health providers. Telehealth services and virtual clinics offer accessible disease management pathways for patients living in health resource limited areas or, as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, where there may be potential barriers to existing healthcare resources. ⋯ By moving the diagnostic process out of the hospital or epilepsy center, it becomes possible to overcome growing gaps in neurology services. Virtual clinics have the potential to expand access to high-quality, cost-effective care for the patient. The virtual clinic remotely connects those in need of medical support with specialists anywhere in the world, at any time of the day.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Oct 2020
Emergency implementation of telemedicine for epilepsy in Spain: Results of a survey during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Teleneurology in Spain had not been implemented so far in clinical practice, except in urgent patients with stroke. Telemedicine was hardly used in epilepsy, and patients and neurologists usually preferred onsite visits. Our goal was to study impressions of adult and pediatric epileptologists about the use of telemedicine after emergent implementation during the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Oct 2020
Medication self-management among parents of children with epilepsy at a tertiary care center in Malaysia.
Self-management is crucial in the management of chronic diseases. However, information is limited on medication self-management among parents of children with epilepsy. This study aimed to assess medication self-management among parents of children with epilepsy and its association with sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics, antiepileptic drug (AED) regimen complexity, and parent self-reported AED adherence. ⋯ The overall medication self-management was satisfactory. Barriers to treatment should be addressed to empower parents to achieve better medication self-management. Furthermore, medication self-management should be reinforced among Malaysian Chinese patients and children with comorbidities.