title: [Intractable epilepsy of childhood and its treatment].
abstract: This paper discusses the concept of epilepsy intractability as the criterium qualifying for the administration of polytherapy, inclusion of new antiepileptic drugs /AEDs/ and application of neurosurgical treatment. There were also diagnostic criteria and complication discussed. To define the concept of epilepsy intractability correctly and to administer appropriate treatment, it is necessary to classify the kind of seizures and their possible reasons, to apply suitable AEDs, their doses and to treat patients with them for a suitable period of time. Intractable forms of epilepsy are diagnosed at about 20-30% of patients with suitable treatment. The disease prevalence is different at particular age groups and depends also on seizure type or epileptic syndrome. Therefore, Ohtahar syndrome, West, Lennox and Gastaut syndromes, epilepsia partialis continua belong to intractable epileptic syndromes at children. There is the biggest risk of psychic disorders appearance among patients resistant to antiepileptic treatment. Moreover, long-term application of AEDs may be associated with the induction of epileptic seizures, occurrence of side and toxic symptoms. Great interest in intractable epilepsy is connected with huge progress in treatment of this disease which has resulted in introduction of many new AEDs for the last few years. Its inclusion into treatment, first as add--on therapy, and then, due to clinical examinations, also as a monotherapy, enables the improvement in seizure control and in the quality of patients' life.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Neurologii Wieku Rozwojowego AM.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steinborn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants