The Hazards of Epilepsy in Children

Childhood epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that significantly impacts the physical and mental health as well as the daily life of affected children. Its harmful effects can be summarized in the following aspects: 1. **Physical injuries**: During epileptic seizures, children are prone to falls, which may result in injuries to the head, arms, or legs, and even lead to serious consequences such as fractures or intracranial hemorrhage. In addition, teeth clenching during seizures may cause tongue biting. 2. **Impaired intellectual and neurological development**: Frequent epileptic seizures may damage brain function and affect intellectual development, memory, and attention. Half of all children with epilepsy suffer from varying degrees of intellectual disability, and earlier onset of seizures correlates with greater impact on intellectual abilities. 3. **Psychological problems**: Due to the sudden and unpredictable nature of seizures, children may experience seizures in social settings, causing significant harm to their personality and self-esteem, and potentially leading to psychological issues such as inferiority, anxiety, and depression. 4. **Cerebral palsy**: Abnormal electrical activity in the brain caused by epilepsy may damage motor neurons, leading to cerebral palsy.