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Tribune News Network
Doha
Sidra Medicine has launched new paediatric neurology sub-specialty services, implemented state-of-the-art technologies and embarked on a clinical research study to advance the treatment of children with epilepsy.
The Division of Paediatric Neurology at Sidra Medicine has set up a Neurodiagnostic laboratory that offers outpatient electroencephalography (EEG) and ambulatory home EEG services to measure brain activity and evaluate children with suspected or confirmed epilepsy.
A dedicated inpatient paediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) has also been installed. The EMU, a one-of-a-kind in the region and a first for Qatar, offers 24/7 simultaneous video EEG monitoring and has already helped in accurately diagnosing dozens of children.
The Neurology Division has also launched new sub-specialty paediatric clinics including the Tuberous Sclerosis clinic, Headache clinic, Complex Epilepsy clinic, Ketogenic Diet clinic and Spasticity clinic. The clinics explore all possible treatment options, beginning with conservative, non-invasive methods before considering neurosurgical procedures.
Dr Khaled Zamel, division chief of Paediatric Neurology at Sidra Medicine, said, “The world-class neurology staff and state-of-the-art technology assembled at Sidra Medicine has allowed us to care for patients in a more integrated manner. For example, thanks to the ambulatory EEG service, several of our young patients can be monitored at home while being assured the same level of treatment and care without the need to be in the hospital.”
There have been a number of patient success cases at Sidra Medicine since the launch of the EMU and EEG services including:
•?Mohammed: 11-year-old boy who used to display recurrent episodes of unexplained abnormal behaviour that affected his social functions including performance at school. He was admitted to the Sidra Medicine EMU where his episodes where monitored and recorded. This observation helped identify that Mohammed was in fact suffering from epileptic seizures. He was immediately prescribed anti-epileptic medications and has made a full recovery of his symptoms.
•?Abdulrahman: The 9-year-old boy had a history of frequent unexplained episodes especially when he was sleeping. Electrodes were placed on his head and an ambulatory EEG device was attached which allowed his brain activity to be recorded for three consecutive days while he was at home. This evaluation confirmed that the episodes he was having were indeed seizures. He was prescribed a new medication which has helped control his condition.
•?Patient K: 13-year-old girl with frequent unusual episodes that occurred on a daily basis. After being admitted to Sidra Medicine, she was put on a treatment programme that led to complete control of her episodes. More interestingly, genetic testing at Sidra Medicine revealed a rare mutation that explained her condition, as well as her family history of the disease.
In addition to the clinical services being provided, the Division of Paediatric Neurology is currently undertaking research that will further understanding of the landscape of childhood epilepsy in Qatar and enable a personalised approach to treatment of the chronic illness.
Doha
Sidra Medicine has launched new paediatric neurology sub-specialty services, implemented state-of-the-art technologies and embarked on a clinical research study to advance the treatment of children with epilepsy.
The Division of Paediatric Neurology at Sidra Medicine has set up a Neurodiagnostic laboratory that offers outpatient electroencephalography (EEG) and ambulatory home EEG services to measure brain activity and evaluate children with suspected or confirmed epilepsy.
A dedicated inpatient paediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) has also been installed. The EMU, a one-of-a-kind in the region and a first for Qatar, offers 24/7 simultaneous video EEG monitoring and has already helped in accurately diagnosing dozens of children.
The Neurology Division has also launched new sub-specialty paediatric clinics including the Tuberous Sclerosis clinic, Headache clinic, Complex Epilepsy clinic, Ketogenic Diet clinic and Spasticity clinic. The clinics explore all possible treatment options, beginning with conservative, non-invasive methods before considering neurosurgical procedures.
Dr Khaled Zamel, division chief of Paediatric Neurology at Sidra Medicine, said, “The world-class neurology staff and state-of-the-art technology assembled at Sidra Medicine has allowed us to care for patients in a more integrated manner. For example, thanks to the ambulatory EEG service, several of our young patients can be monitored at home while being assured the same level of treatment and care without the need to be in the hospital.”
There have been a number of patient success cases at Sidra Medicine since the launch of the EMU and EEG services including:
•?Mohammed: 11-year-old boy who used to display recurrent episodes of unexplained abnormal behaviour that affected his social functions including performance at school. He was admitted to the Sidra Medicine EMU where his episodes where monitored and recorded. This observation helped identify that Mohammed was in fact suffering from epileptic seizures. He was immediately prescribed anti-epileptic medications and has made a full recovery of his symptoms.
•?Abdulrahman: The 9-year-old boy had a history of frequent unexplained episodes especially when he was sleeping. Electrodes were placed on his head and an ambulatory EEG device was attached which allowed his brain activity to be recorded for three consecutive days while he was at home. This evaluation confirmed that the episodes he was having were indeed seizures. He was prescribed a new medication which has helped control his condition.
•?Patient K: 13-year-old girl with frequent unusual episodes that occurred on a daily basis. After being admitted to Sidra Medicine, she was put on a treatment programme that led to complete control of her episodes. More interestingly, genetic testing at Sidra Medicine revealed a rare mutation that explained her condition, as well as her family history of the disease.
In addition to the clinical services being provided, the Division of Paediatric Neurology is currently undertaking research that will further understanding of the landscape of childhood epilepsy in Qatar and enable a personalised approach to treatment of the chronic illness.
