Dangers of epilepsy in children In infants and children, poorly controlled epilepsy can lead to significant neurodevelopmental impairments, including cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, and psychiatric disorders. Studies have shown that the prevalence of mental retardation in children with epilepsy occurring up to 1 year of age is 83%; refractory epilepsy up to 2 years of age, especially with daily seizures, is a risk factor for severe mental retardation. There is evidence that frequent seizures or epileptic discharges can interfere with the growth and development of the immature brain, directly causing memory impairment, and in some cases irreversibly. On the other hand, the long-term application of high doses of antiepileptic drugs, which appear to have toxic effects, can have dramatic adverse effects on the development of children. Drug-refractory epilepsy in children The percentage of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy who develop refractory epilepsy after 2 years is 8-10%. Furthermore, further follow-up reveals that a proportion of children who previously responded well to medication will develop drug-refractory epilepsy again. If structural brain lesions are present, the chances of control with medication are even lower. Surgery for childhood epilepsy The good efficacy of surgical procedures for the treatment of adult epilepsy is well established, and in childhood epilepsy, a large body of case data suggests that early surgical intervention may greatly improve the prognosis of the child. The goal of surgery is to stop catastrophic developmental disorders by controlling seizures, and the plasticity of the child’s brain facilitates the recovery and reorganization of neurological function after surgery.