No matter what your child’s journey with epilepsy is, a team led by an experienced epileptologist can help. An epileptologist is a neurologist specially trained to diagnose and treat epilepsy. Medications, dietary therapies, neuromodulation devices and surgical procedures can help. Your epileptologist will determine which treatments are best for your child and their specific type of epilepsy. 

Treatments We Offer 

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital offers several options to treat epilepsy in children. Examples include:

• Antiseizure medications: After an epilepsy diagnosis, your epilepsy specialist will determine the best treatment for your child. Most children respond to the first antiseizure medication used.
• Dietary therapies: Dietary therapy is often used in combination with antiseizure medications. The “classic” ketogenic diet is an effective treatment for epilepsy in children, and variations of the diet can also be used. The ketogenic diet involves eating high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods. We offer a multidisciplinary ketogenic diet clinic with specialists who can manage your child’s dietary therapy. This includes a dietitian who educates your family and helps you adjust your lifestyle. 
• Neuromodulation devices: If your child’s seizures are not well-controlled by medications, we may recommend implanting a neuromodulation device. The device sends mild electrical impulses through nerves to the brain. These impulses can reduce the abnormal electrical signals responsible for seizures.
• Pediatric epilepsy surgery: Your care team will evaluate your child’s details and order special imaging tests to decide whether your child is a good candidate for surgery. There are several types of epilepsy surgery, but the main goal is to remove the brain tissue responsible for abnormal electrical signals. Our neurosurgeons use intraoperative monitoring to ensure that healthy tissue is not affected. 

Epilepsy Education and a Seizure Action Plan 

A vital part of epilepsy treatment is education about the condition. An epilepsy specialist and their team can teach you about many facets of life with epilepsy. Examples include how to keep your child safe, prepare for seizures, and advocate for your child in school and other settings.

You should create a personalized seizure action plan for your child. This document includes essential information about what someone should do if and when your child has a seizure. It details your child’s medical history, seizure type, and ways to keep them safe. 

Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment: Why Choose Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital? 

When you bring your child to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for epilepsy treatment, you’ll find:

• Trusted expertise: Our pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons are board certified and fellowship trained to treat all types of epilepsy syndromes. They have years of training and experience in pediatric epilepsy.
• Individualized care: Epilepsy affects every child differently, and there’s a wide variety of treatment options. We design your child’s care to meet their unique needs and goals. We listen carefully and work with you to find the right plan for your family. 
• Comprehensive care: For children with epilepsy and other neurologic conditions, we work with other specialists as needed.
• Partnership throughout childhood: We monitor your child as they grow and change — and their condition changes with them. We make adjustments as needed through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. We have a process to help your child make a smooth transition to adult epilepsy care. The goal is to help them learn their treatment regimens and become more independent in their care.