Challenges in the management of pediatric epilepsy in Nigeria

Abstract

Epilepsy is a disorder that is associated with a lot of social stigma and diverse cultural beliefs as to its causation and management. Effective management often relies on the following: Clinical information obtained from the patient and corroborative eye-witness account/s; supportive ancillary laboratory investigations; use of appropriate drugs for sufficiently long periods; and adherence to the prescribed treatment. The valuable information and the supportive ancillary tests are often lacking in resource-poor countries, thus posing a lot of problems to the clinician managing epilepsy in these settings. This paper is based on the author's clinical experience and a review of relevant papers from 33 review articles sourced from PubMed using the search terms “pediatric epilepsy,” “management challenges/difficulties,” “sub-Saharan countries.” Practical solutions to overcome these difficulties are also proffered.