New Onset Seizure Program

A first time seizure can be a very frightening event for both a child and his or her family. Rapid follow-up for comprehensive assessment and evaluation after an initial seizure is essential.

The New Onset Seizure Clinic at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital offers comprehensive, coordinated medical and social management by a team of expert pediatric epileptologists, neurologists, nurses, neuropsychologists, social workers, and child life specialists, who provide quick, accurate assessment and diagnosis.

This outpatient program offers rapid access to care, and is the first program in the Cleveland area to provide highly coordinated, in-depth and timely care to children who suffer a first seizure. Parents can make an appointment with one of our specialists within just one to two days following their child’s seizure.

Early, effective treatment can not only reduce seizures, but can potentially eliminate them entirely.

State-of-the-Art Diagnostics for First Time Seizures

Experts at the New Onset Seizure Clinic use state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies and brain mapping techniques to pinpoint the source of seizure activity and develop the best treatment plan for each patient.

Children treated at the clinic undergo a detailed and complete medical history, along with a physical exam to assess the type of seizure the child has experienced. As part of this process, specialized tests may be conducted to determine the cause of the seizure, including:

• High resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Video electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) and SPECT imaging technologies

During this initial evaluation, our multidisciplinary team will work to identify the cause of the seizure, refer patients to appropriate specialists and determine the patient’s risk for future seizures and epilepsy.

Families Receive Counseling On Safety and Managing Seizure Disorders

We provide each child and family with an individualized plan of care, including appropriate treatment, counseling and education. Our nurse coordinator teaches families about medications, seizure safety and the psychosocial aspects of managing seizures.

Should a child have additional seizures, families will have easy access to our team of experts for follow up care and treatment.