According to information found in the PERFECT initiative, epileptic kids may not be getting the right treatment for their prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures at school or out in public venues. The results of this initiative were presented during the symposium at the ILAE’s 10th European Congress on Epileptology (ECE) that took place in London.
The PERFECT Initiative is comprised of a steering committee of multiple epilepsy specialists from different countries in Europe. The group looks for any discrepancies in the European guidelines that are put in place to make sure that kids who have prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures receive prompt treatment no matter where they are. The group also makes recommendations on how to train people to treat those kids in emergencies.
The initiative is important because kids with prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures can suffer tremendously over the effects of the conditions. Current treatment guidelines recommend that children receive treatment immediately if they suffer from a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes. The problem is that while the kids receive emergency meds, teachers will not give it to the kids without first being taught how to do it.
“The PERFECT Initiative is the first to investigate the discrepancies that often exist in European countries between policy and practice in the treatment of prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures in children,” said Professor J. Helen Cross, UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Young Epilepsy. “We found that the differences in clear guidance, awareness and education around the use of rescue medication for treating seizures in children living with epilepsy ultimately create a shortfall in care that we, as clinicians, intend that they receive, whether in hospital or away from it.”
One of the treatments used to treat seizures is Topamax, which ironically can be harmful to babies when given to pregnant mothers. Topamax has been proven to cause birth defects in babies whose mothers take the drugs while pregnant. Some of those birth defects include PPHN, spina bifida, oral clefts and neural tube defects.
If your child was born with birth defects because of exposure to Topamax, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your child’s injuries.