Epilepsia, 44(11):1464, 2003 Blackwell Publishing, Inc. C 2003 International League Against Epilepsy Book Review Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide. 3rd ed. J. M. Freeman, E. P. G. Vining, and D. J. Pillas. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2003, 426 pp. This book is an extremely useful resource for parents of children with epilepsy. In its third edition, the authors provide a systematic review of the medical and social as- pects that can affect families of children with seizures. An attractive feature of this book is the ability of the authors to discuss different approaches to a particular issue and to indicate their preference without demeaning other approaches. Thus the advice recognizes the varying medical approaches to this disorder. The use of patient examples is also very helpful in clarifying many of the concepts discussed. The first section provides a basic description of how the brain works, why seizures occur, and contains a description of how seizures are classified. This is explained in relatively straightforward language, is well illustrated, and would be most useful for parents looking for an in- depth understanding of epilepsy. The second section describes the diagnosis of epilepsy, the investigations that are commonly used, and the princi- ples underlying the decision whether to use an antiepilep- tic drug (AED). There are excellent sections on parox- ysmal nonepileptic abnormalities and on febrile seizures, although it is unlikely that parents of children with those problems would find the rest of the book as useful. The sections on the factors that influence the decision to use an AED, what to do when your child has a seizure, and on the tests that are commonly used are written particularly well and would be very valuable to parents of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy. The third section focuses on treatment options and reviews AEDs, including all of the recently introduced AEDs. The discussion on measurement of AED levels demonstrates the authors’ ability to describe a very practical approach in simple language and provides a clinical approach that would be useful to medical students and primary care physicians as well as to parents. A detailed description of the critical steps involved in the assessment of a child for epilepsy surgery is complemented by a useful list of questions that parents should ask before reaching a decision. The authors, who are mainly responsible for the resurgence of the ketogenic diet, describe the role and use of this therapy definitively. Finally, the authors recog- nize the burgeoning use of various alternative and com- plementary therapies and review the evidence for such treatments. A particular strength of this book lies in the final sections, which deal with coping and living with epilepsy. Much practical advice is given on issues that weigh heavily on parents but that are often dealt with in a very limited fashion by physicians. These topics in- clude what to tell others after a child has had a seizure; how to deal with educational issues; the implications of epilepsy on sports activities and driving; marriage, preg- nancy, and the risk to offspring; and employment and insurance. In conclusion, this book is well written and is rec- ommended highly for parents of children with epilepsy who are looking for more knowledge about their child’s disorder. Kevin Farrell, M.D., FRCPC Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 1464

Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide. 3rd ed. J. M. Freeman, E. P. G. Vining, and D. J. Pillas. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2003, 426 pp

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Page 1: Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide. 3rd ed. J. M. Freeman, E. P. G. Vining, and D. J. Pillas. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2003, 426 pp

Book ReviewSeizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide. 3rd ed.J. M. Freeman, E. P. G. Vining, and D. J. Pillas. JohnsHopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2003, 426 pp.

This book is an extremely useful resource for parentsof children with epilepsy. In its third edition, the authorsprovide a systematic review of the medical and social as-pects that can affect families of children with seizures. Anattractive feature of this book is the ability of the authorsto discuss different approaches to a particular issue andto indicate their preference without demeaning other ap-proaches. Thus the advice recognizes the varying medicalapproaches to this disorder. The use of patient examplesis also very helpful in clarifying many of the conceptsdiscussed.

The first section provides a basic description of howthe brain works, why seizures occur, and contains a de-scription of how seizures are classified. This is explainedin relatively straightforward language, is well illustrated,and would be most useful for parents looking for an in-depth understanding of epilepsy.

The second section describes the diagnosis of epilepsy,the investigations that are commonly used, and the princi-ples underlying the decision whether to use an antiepilep-tic drug (AED). There are excellent sections on parox-ysmal nonepileptic abnormalities and on febrile seizures,although it is unlikely that parents of children with thoseproblems would find the rest of the book as useful. Thesections on the factors that influence the decision to usean AED, what to do when your child has a seizure, and onthe tests that are commonly used are written particularlywell and would be very valuable to parents of childrenwith newly diagnosed epilepsy.

The third section focuses on treatment options andreviews AEDs, including all of the recently introducedAEDs. The discussion on measurement of AED levelsdemonstrates the authors’ ability to describe a very prac-tical approach in simple language and provides a clinicalapproach that would be useful to medical students andprimary care physicians as well as to parents. A detaileddescription of the critical steps involved in the assessmentof a child for epilepsy surgery is complemented by a usefullist of questions that parents should ask before reachinga decision. The authors, who are mainly responsible forthe resurgence of the ketogenic diet, describe the role anduse of this therapy definitively. Finally, the authors recog-nize the burgeoning use of various alternative and com-plementary therapies and review the evidence for suchtreatments.

A particular strength of this book lies in the final sec-tions, which deal with coping and living with epilepsy.Much practical advice is given on issues that weighheavily on parents but that are often dealt with in avery limited fashion by physicians. These topics in-clude what to tell others after a child has had a seizure;how to deal with educational issues; the implications ofepilepsy on sports activities and driving; marriage, preg-nancy, and the risk to offspring; and employment andinsurance.

In conclusion, this book is well written and is rec-ommended highly for parents of children with epilepsywho are looking for more knowledge about their child’sdisorder.

Kevin Farrell, M.D., FRCPCVancouver, British Columbia, Canada

1464