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Integrative Palliative Care and Management of Refractory Epilepsy

  • Pediatric Palliative Care (KS Hoehn, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Integrative palliative care involves a team of professionals working together to improve the quality of a child’s life. In children with refractory epilepsy, the primary focus is to treat the seizures. This manuscript reviews common epileptic encephalopathies which can serve as prototypes for devastating refractory seizure disorders and demonstrate the need for involvement of pediatric palliative care in patients with severe epilepsy. It provides an update on etiology, prognosis, and overall treatment, delivering insightful information for the palliative care team as they work to improve the quality of life.

Findings

A number of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments are important in the management of refractory epilepsy. This article reviews the various treatment options for patients with refractory epilepsy and highlights the importance of palliative care.

Summary

A child neurologist should participate as an integral part of the palliative care team in patients with refractory epilepsy to help guide the discussion about etiology, prognosis, and actively manages seizures as they work with other members of pediatric palliative care team towards improving the quality of life for the patient, caregiver, and family members.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rush University Medical Center, Suite 718, 1725 West Harrison Street, Chicago, Il, 60612, USA

    Colleen Buhrfiend & Peter Heydemann

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  1. Colleen Buhrfiend
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  2. Peter Heydemann
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Correspondence to Colleen Buhrfiend.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pediatric Palliative Care

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Buhrfiend, C., Heydemann, P. Integrative Palliative Care and Management of Refractory Epilepsy. Curr Pediatr Rep 6, 178–187 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-018-0171-x

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