How to deal with intractable epilepsy in children?

  Epilepsy is a common health hazard (especially in children) with a higher prevalence in children than in adults, with 40 to 50 per 100,000 children affected and 90 to 200 new cases per year.  It is undeniable that there are children with epilepsy who have intractable epilepsy. Not only is it difficult to control seizures with antiepileptic drugs, but most of these children also have delayed mental development. These children should be treated individually, i.e., with the appropriate type and dosage of antiepileptic drugs, along with psychological and functional therapy. With modern individualized treatment, 70% of children can achieve complete seizure control, and 50% of them will not have seizures after stopping the medication.  Individualized treatment includes the following: Selection of an appropriate antiepileptic drug. Start with one antiepileptic drug, begin with a small dose, and then gradually increase the dose in order for it to reduce adverse effects and find the optimal individual dose. If the preferred drug is ineffective, you can switch to a second or multiple drugs, with no more than three drugs being appropriate. Once an effective drug and dose are found, the application should be maintained unchanged for 3 to 5 years, and the decision to discontinue the drug should be made after evaluation by a physician.  During the course of treatment, sleep should be guaranteed, caffeine-containing beverages should be consumed sparingly, and alcohol should be prohibited. Most children should continue their studies and should not be suspended from school. Children should be given appropriate care and should not be discriminated against. Regular review at the hospital. Surgery can be considered in about 15% of children with epilepsy.  It is worth pointing out that there are many irregularities in the treatment of epilepsy in China, such as the use of five to six drugs at the same time, various burial therapies, and the addition of western drugs to the so-called proprietary Chinese medicine. These informal treatments have not been scientifically verified, and if they are used randomly, they will cause more difficulties in treatment if there are adverse reactions, so I hope parents of children with epilepsy will think twice.