‘Increasing epilepsy cases among children a matter of concern’

CHANDIGARH: The increasing number of epilepsy cases caused by neurocysticercosis, the most common parasitic disease of the nervous system, among children in the region is a big medical concern these days.

Statistics compiled by doctors from Child Neurology Unit of Pediatrics Department of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), the hospital gets 100 to 150 new patients suffering from epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis every year.

“Most of these children are in the age group of 5 to 14. Though a 14-month-old toddler was the youngest patient suffering from the disease who was brought to PGIMER, this is rare,” said Dr Pratibha Singhi, Professor in Department of Pediatrics and chief of Child Neurology and Neuro-development at PGIMER.

She said that more than 45,00 children suffering from neurocysticercosis had been examined at PGIMER in the last 12 years. Every week, around 40 children suffering from the disease were examined at special ‘Neuro-cysticercosis Clinic’, which is held every Thursday.

“Unfortunately, despite all control programmes, the number of children suffering from epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis is not decreasing. That is an issue of concern,” she said.

The disease, she pointed out, was connected to unhygienic living conditions. So, cases were commonly reported from lower and middle socio-economic strata of society.

“Neurocysticercosis emerged as the most important cause of seizures in a large community survey, which we conducted recently,” said Dr Singhi.

Parasitic cyst enters the body after an individual consumes contaminated water or raw vegetables (irrigated by contaminated water). The cyst lodges in the brain and then causes seizures.