Search site...

Epilepsy in Children and Youth: Foundational Program

Mother and son

This series aims to enhance core competencies for the management of epilepsy.

MARCH 2 – MAY 4, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST | WEEKLY

This curriculum covers a spectrum of skills and knowledge that relate to diagnosis, seizure semiology, ASMs, common epilepsy syndromes, and more. The program is designed for primary care providers and/or healthcare practitioners who are seeking fundamental knowledge in epileptology.

Register

This Quick Study series is facilitated by The Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (CHWO).

Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre

Syllabus

CPD Accreditation (CPSO, U of T)

This Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up for up to 1.0 Mainpro+ credits.

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim a maximum of 1.0 hours.

Seizure Intro (general definitions, classification)

  • Review current definitions of seizures and epilepsy
  • Describe the basic mechanisms of seizures
  • Review the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of seizures and epilepsies

Seizure Semiology and ILAE Seizure Types

  • Differentiate between focal and generalized epilepsies
  • Distinguish between absence seizures and focal seizures
  • Identify key clinical features that help to differentiate seizure types that manifest with non-motor semiology

Seizure Emergency, Status Epilepticus, Seizure Safety

  • Describe status epilepticus
  • Recognize the management of prolonged seizures
  • Review seizure safety

Seizure Mimics/Differential Diagnosis

  • Recognize common seizure mimics by history and semiology
  • Describe characteristics of non-epileptic events
  • Identify seizure mimics that deserve proper diagnostic and medical intervention

Selecting Appropriate AEDs, Managing Side Effects

  • Describe the key patient factors to consider when choosing antiepileptics
  • Recognize process for titration and adjusting medications
  • Identify potential adverse effects of medications for epilepsy and strategies for mitigation

Common Pediatric Epilepsy Syndromes

  • 1) Identify common pediatric epilepsy syndromes (Benign Rolandic, West Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut, Childhood Absence, Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy)

Diagnostic Tests (when to order, how to interpret)

  • Classify the appropriate tests and procedures for a child presenting with a seizure and/or epilepsy
  • Recognize the difference between work up for acute symptomatic seizure vs. that for suspected epilepsy
  • Identify the clinical use and limitations of EEG in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy
  • Describe the merits of various neuroimaging techniques in epilepsy and their indications

Clinical Leads

Dr. Andrea Andrade

Dr. Andrea Andrade, Paediatric Epileptologist

Medical Lead

Register