Parent Information for Seizures and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition that results in having repeated seizures. A single seizure event does not mean someone will have epilepsy.

It is estimated that between 4 -10% people will have a single seizure during their lifetime.

Around 27% of these will have their second seizure in the first 6 months, 36% within the first year and 43% within the first two years. Children are at a slightly higher risk than adults of having a second seizure.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in children with over 112,000 children in the UK diagnosed with epilepsy.

I hope to dispel some myths about seizures/epilepsy, answer some questions, discuss upcoming research and direct you to some great resources.

As always, (and just like I do with my NHS practice) I would advise having a read of the fantastic resources from Epilepsy Action https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/ .

Febrile Seizures

A febrile seizure is a fit/seizure that happens when a child has a temperature (this is a temperature over 38°C).

Around 5% of children will have at least one febrile seizure – so they are very common.