3,000 people suffer epilepsy

Epilepsy in Malta affects 2.4 out of every 1,000 children from birth to 15, according to a study carried out by paediatrician Doriette Soler.

Data show that 56 per cent of these children are boys and 44 per cent are girls. Dr Soler said the number of children who suffer from this condition has remained stable.

Epilepsy in children is the theme of today's one-day seminar, which is being organised by the Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association.

The seminar, at the New Dolmen Hotel, Qawra, will include a keynote speech on Europe's campaign on epilepsy by MEP John Bowis and another on interdisciplinary aspects by Dr John Chaplin from the neurological department of University Hospital Lund, Sweden.

Epilepsy is a disease that starts in the brain and is usually characterised by seizures and spasms which are the outcome of a brief disruption of brain function.

The condition, caused by a malfunction of nerve cells in the brain, is the general term for at least 30 chronic disorders of the brain.

Epilepsy, which is still shrouded in ignorance, is a condition which affects about 3,000 people in Malta and which doctors describe as the most common serious brain disorder in every country of the world.

The condition carries a deep social stigma and those who get epileptic fits often prefer to keep their secret to themselves.

Dr Paul Bartolo, a psychologist at the University of Malta and one of today's speakers, said that children with epilepsy were also at greater risk of being misunderstood.

Research shows that the attitudes of others to epilepsy has more impact on people than the epilepsy itself, he said.

Dr Janet Mifsud, a lecturer at the university's Department of Clinical Pharmacology, who will open the seminar, said that children with "absent" seizures could often be described by their teachers as being inattentive.

"Children who have epilepsy need special attention and a facilitator could help tremendously," she said.

"Parents tend to wrap their children in cotton wool and stop them leading a normal life or going out to play, but this is not necessary if you have a holistic approach to treating the child."

Dr Mifsud said there was a need for greater awareness on this condition.

She even pointed out that young people who frequented Paceville and had an epileptic fit were often mistaken for being drunk or on drugs.

"There are people who have the condition but just refuse to say anything for fear of being marginalised," she said.

"I have heard nightmare stories about parents who don't inform teachers about their child's condition and the children are taken on an outing walking along cliffs," she said.

Today's seminar will deal with, among other things, the need for educating teaching staff on epilepsy to minimise the child's psychosocial impact and the importance of better collaboration between parents, educators and medical staff.