Has your child experienced a seizure, or have you noticed unusual staring spells, sudden movements, or moments when they seem unaware of what’s happening around them? These symptoms can be worrying, especially when you don’t know what’s causing them.
At King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, our pediatric epilepsy specialists diagnose and treat seizures in babies, children, and teenagers. Whether your child has had their first seizure or is already receiving treatment for epilepsy, our team can help you understand the condition and what to do next.
What Is Pediatric Epilepsy?
Pediatric epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes repeated seizures. These happen when there is a sudden change in the brain’s electrical activity, affecting a child’s movements, awareness, or behavior.
Seizures don’t always involve shaking. Some children stare blankly for a few seconds, while others experience jerking movements, muscle stiffness, or confusion.
Not every seizure means a child has epilepsy. Fever, infections, low blood sugar, and other medical conditions can also cause seizures. A specialist assessment can help identify the cause.
What Does a Pediatric Epilepsy Specialist Do?
A pediatric epileptologist specializes in diagnosing and treating epilepsy and seizure disorders in children.
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, our specialists investigate suspected seizures, review existing epilepsy diagnoses, and help children whose seizures continue despite medication.
Depending on your child’s symptoms, their assessment may include:
- Neurological examination: Checking your child’s development, reflexes, and neurological function.
- EEG: Recording electrical activity in the brain to help identify seizure patterns.
- MRI: Looking for changes in the brain that may explain seizures.
- Blood tests: Checking for possible medical causes.
- Medication review: Assessing how well treatment is working and whether adjustments are needed.
Our team also advises parents on seizure safety, school, sleep, and managing epilepsy at home.
When Should You See a Pediatric Epilepsy Specialist?
Arrange a medical assessment if your child has experienced a suspected seizure, even if they seem fine afterward.
Other symptoms that may need specialist attention include:
- Repeated staring spells or periods of unresponsiveness
- Sudden jerking, shaking, or muscle stiffness
- Unusual movements during sleep
- Unexplained falls, fainting, or confusion
- Recurrent or prolonged seizures with fever
- Seizures that continue despite medication
- Changes in learning, behavior, or development alongside seizures
What Types of Pediatric Epilepsy Do We Treat?
Our Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic in Dubai assesses and manages different types of seizures and childhood epilepsy, including:
- Absence seizures: Your child may suddenly stop what they’re doing and stare into space for a few seconds. These episodes are sometimes mistaken for daydreaming.
- Focal seizures: These start in one part of the brain. Your child might experience unusual movements or sensations, and they may or may not be aware of what’s happening.
- Generalized seizures: These affect both sides of the brain and can cause muscle stiffness, jerking movements, or a sudden loss of awareness.
- Febrile seizures: These occur in young children who have a fever, usually between six months and five years of age.
- Nocturnal seizures: These happen while your child is asleep. You might notice sudden movements, stiffening, or unusual behavior during the night.
- Drug-resistant epilepsy: Some children continue having seizures even after trying two suitable anti-seizure medications. These children may need further investigations and different treatment options.
We also assess children who have developmental delays, learning difficulties, or behavioral concerns alongside their seizures.
How Is Pediatric Epilepsy Diagnosed?
Diagnosing epilepsy starts with understanding exactly what happens during your child’s episodes. If you’ve managed to record a seizure safely on your phone, bring the video to your appointment.
The assessment usually involves five steps:
- Discussing your child’s symptoms: The specialist will ask when the seizures first started, how often they happen, and what you’ve noticed before, during, and after each episode.
- Examining your child: A neurological examination helps the doctor check your child’s reflexes, movements, and development.
- Running tests: Depending on your child’s symptoms, the doctor may recommend an EEG, MRI, or blood tests to help understand what’s causing the seizures.
- Discussing treatment: If your child is diagnosed with epilepsy, the specialist will explain the treatment options, including medication and any precautions you should take at home.
- Monitoring progress: Follow-up appointments allow the doctor to check how well treatment is working, whether seizures have improved, and if any medication changes are needed.
A normal EEG does not always rule out epilepsy. Your specialist will consider the test results alongside your child’s symptoms.
How Is Epilepsy Treated in Children?
Most children with epilepsy are treated with anti-seizure medication. The medicine prescribed depends on the type of seizures, your child’s age, and their medical history.
Some children find that their seizures improve with the first medication prescribed, while others may need to try a different medicine or have their dosage adjusted. During follow-up appointments, the specialist will also ask about any side effects and whether your child is having difficulties with sleep, learning, or everyday activities.
If seizures remain difficult to control, further specialist assessment may be needed. Some children may be considered for treatments such as ketogenic dietary therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, or epilepsy surgery following appropriate evaluation.
Who Is the Best Doctor for Pediatric Epilepsy in Dubai?
The best doctor for pediatric epilepsy in Dubai is Dr. Ubaid Shah, Pediatric Epileptologist at King’s College Hospital Dubai.
Dr. Shah is an Australian-trained Consultant Pediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist who holds a Fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and has completed advanced fellowship training in Pediatric Epilepsy. With over 18 years of post-specialization experience, he treats children with complex seizure disorders, drug-resistant epilepsy, and neurological conditions affecting development. He also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Gulf Medical University.
Why Choose King’s College Hospital Dubai for Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment?
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, children receive specialist epilepsy care with access to EEG, MRI, pediatric emergency services, and additional medical support when needed.
Our pediatric epileptologists work with other pediatric specialists to investigate seizures, manage treatment, and monitor children who have additional developmental or neurological concerns.
Parents are involved in treatment decisions and receive practical advice on managing seizures at home, school, and during everyday activities.
How Can I Book an Appointment?
To book an appointment for pediatric epilepsy treatment at King’s College Hospital Dubai, call +971 800 7777 or use the KingsHub App.
If your child has previous EEG results, scans, or medical reports, please bring them to the appointment.
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الأسئلة الأكثر شيوعا
King’s College Hospital Dubai is the best hospital for pediatric epilepsy in Dubai, offering specialist pediatric epilepsy consultations, EEG and MRI investigations, medication management, and long-term care for children with seizure disorders.
The best doctor for pediatric epilepsy in Dubai is Prof. Ubaid Shah, an Australian-trained Consultant Pediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist at King’s College Hospital Dubai. He holds a Fellowship in Pediatric Epilepsy and has over 18 years of post-specialization experience treating complex neurological conditions in children, including difficult-to-control epilepsy.
No. Seizures can also happen because of fever, infections, low blood sugar, or other medical conditions. Your child will need an assessment to determine the cause.
If your child has a seizure, try to keep them safe by moving anything nearby that could hurt them and placing something soft under their head. Check how long the seizure lasts, but don’t try to hold them still or put anything in their mouth. Gently turn them onto their side when it’s safe to do so. Call emergency services if the seizure lasts five minutes or more, your child has trouble breathing, or they don’t regain consciousness as expected.
Yes. Many children achieve good seizure control with medication. Some outgrow certain epilepsy syndromes, while others need ongoing treatment and monitoring.
Your specialist may recommend an EEG to help identify seizure patterns. However, not every child needs one, and a normal EEG doesn’t necessarily rule out epilepsy.
Yes. Most children with epilepsy can attend school and enjoy sports. Activities such as swimming require extra supervision, and schools should know what to do if a seizure occurs.
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