This book will have four sections. The first section will be an introduction to the basic mechanisms of epilepsy; the basics of airway, breathing, circulation, and hemodynamics; the pathophysiology of the intracranial vault; and, electrolyte disturbances. The next section will be on the evaluation of the child with a seizure or status epilepticus, including the examination; the use of EEG in both neonates and older children; neuroimaging; and, very important, the differential diagnosis of disorders that mimic seizures. The third section will include the specific disease categories in which seizures and status epilepticus occur; and, the fourth will review the treatment of neonatal seizures and status epilepticus; seizures and status epilepticus in the older child; and, finally refractory status epilepticus.Specifically for the third section, each chapter will start with a description of the specific pathophysiology of this disorder, its effects on the pathophysiology of seizures, and then the specific seizure treatment and management of the disorder.
There is an increasing awareness that the outcome of seizures and status epilepticus occurring with acute encephalopathies is worse, and especially, when new-onset status epilepticus develops in sick inpatients and that the therapy should be more aggressive. To date, there is no book that specifically deals with seizures in pediatric neurocritical care, and no recent book on pediatric neurocritical care in general. Given the various specialties involved in the care of these patients, this book will be a useful addition to your neurology, and neurocritical care, series of books.