Pediatric epilepsy care in Chicagoland
Having a seizure can be scary, especially for a child. And seizures and epilepsy can affect the daily life of your child and your family. Neurologists at Ascension Alexius Pediatric Brain Care in greater Chicagoland are here to help manage your child’s seizures. Each visit starts with a conversation to better understand your child. As a Level 3 Epilepsy Center, we used advanced diagnostics to diagnose your child’s seizures and create a personalized care plan. And, your child’s care doesn’t end when your child turns 18 — we help your child manage their epilepsy into adulthood and throughout their life as part of Ascension Illinois adult care.
Pediatric epilepsy specialists deliver advanced care
When your child experiences repeated seizure events, it is called epilepsy. There are many different types of epilepsy that can develop at any age. Our team is dedicated to delivering personalized care to children of all ages with seizures or epilepsy. This includes care for babies and teens. Pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of many types of seizures, including:
- Focal (partial or localization-related) seizures
- Absence seizures
- Atonic seizures
- Clonic seizures
- Tonic seizures
- Tonic-clonic seizures
- Myoclonic seizures
Epilepsy monitoring unit at Ascension Alexius Pediatric Brain Care
When your child has a seizure, they may need special monitoring to help diagnose and treat their condition. Our epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at Ascension Alexius Pediatric Brain Care helps your child’s specialists evaluate, diagnose and treat seizures. While your child is at the EMU, they will receive continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) testing and video recording. Your child’s care team includes an epilepsy specialist, nurses and technicians who monitor your child and the frequency of their seizures. We also evaluate how well medications or other treatments are helping to manage your child’s condition.
Your child’s neurologist at Ascension Illinois can also read and interpret EEG recordings from referring doctors throughout Illinois.
Pediatric neurosurgery for managing epilepsy
Epilepsy may be treated with anti-epileptic medications (AEDs), diet, therapy and surgery. If surgery is recommended as part of your child’s care plan, we’re here for you. Our pediatric neurosurgeons provide advanced surgical care for epilepsy, including:
- Laser ablation
- Lobectomy
- Topectomy
- Vagus nerve stimulation
Have confidence knowing our experienced neurosurgeons specialize in pediatric brain surgery. Your child’s surgeon will explain the procedure to you and answer your questions. And, our nurses and child life specialists provide support to your family before, during and after surgery.
The difference in our pediatric epilepsy care
When you choose Ascension Illinois for your child’s epilepsy care, you get a multispecialty care team dedicated to your child’s care. Our team includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, specialized nurses, child life specialists and more. Each appointment starts with a conversation about your child and their symptoms. By getting to know your child well, we create a care plan to help manage, and in some cases stop, your child’s seizures.
Family also plays an important role in a child’s care. Having a child with epilepsy or seizures can require ongoing care. We’re here to provide the support and education your family needs. And, our hospital rehabilitation services offer pediatric therapy, such as music therapy, when your child is in for epilepsy monitoring.
Get a second opinion from a pediatric neurologist
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your child’s doctor and care plan are right for your child and family. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Alexius Pediatric Brain Care. We can review your child’s medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized care plan for your child.
When your child has a new diagnosis or is experiencing ongoing seizures, there’s a lot to think about. We can discuss both therapeutic or surgical treatment plans. Our team of highly experienced pediatric epilepsy specialists can provide you with a second opinion based on experience and as part of an integrated national network of care.
Before your child’s appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your child’s medical records from their doctor on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Refer a patient to a pediatric specialist
Your patients can expect compassionate, personalized care from the moment our specialists connect with them. Our pediatric specialists start by listening to fully understand their needs and to develop an individualized care plan. To make a doctor referral, please call 877-596-7408.
If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.