Pediatric Epilepsy
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At UVA Health Children's, we have pediatric neurologists and epileptologists (doctors who specialize in epilepsy) with extensive experience in treating children with epilepsy. In fact, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers has certified our epilepsy program as a Level 4 center, the highest designation for epilepsy care possible.
Epilepsy Treatment Options
We provide children and their families well-coordinated, cost-effective evaluations from specialists with expertise in all epilepsy treatment options, including:
- Medications
- Implantation devices
- Dietary treatments
- Surgical treatments
Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
Our Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (PEMU) is a child-friendly, highly specialized inpatient facility designed specifically for children with seizures. In the PEMU, we record your child's brain waves continuously during his or her hospitalization. This information then helps us evaluate, diagnose and treat your child.
The PEMU serves as the focal point of the UVA Pediatric Epilepsy Program, which is active in epilepsy research at the national level.
Our PEMU staff specialize in the care of children with seizures and includes:
- Pediatric neurologists and epileptologists
- Nurses
- EEG technicians
- Other caregivers with experience in pediatric epilepsy
We also offer children with tuberous sclerosis a TS Alliance-recognized outpatient TS clinic that currently meets on the fourth Friday of each month in the Battle Building.
Visit or learn more about the Pediatric Neurology & Epilepsy Clinic.
PEMU Resources
- Welcome to the Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (Pediatric EMU) (PDF)
- What to expect when having an EEG (PDF)
Epilepsy Health Care Transition Clinic
Some forms of epilepsy resolve during childhood. But others continue into adulthood. Being a young adult already comes with a lot of change. Managing epilepsy adds a layer. But we can help.
The Epilepsy Transition Clinic helps young adults with epilepsy navigate this challenging time. Whether they need help managing their epilepsy or support for daily living, we work to meet each individual's needs.
This clinic helps us bridge care from pediatrics to adult, so that each person's care is continuous.
Helping Adolescents with Epilepsy
Learn how UVA Health Children's Epilepsy Clinic helps patients like Chandler.
Jennifer Langer, MD: Being a teen is tough. There's lots of challenges to negotiate. Being an adolescent. A lot of changes socially, physically, and emotionally. And all those things are harder with a chronic disease like epilepsy.
Langer: So we started the Adolescent Epilepsy clinic here at UVA. And it came out of a need that I saw to better address issues that teens have living with epilepsy that may not be best addressed by adult neurologists who aren't looking specifically at teen issues.
Langer: To empower the teen, but also empower the parent to learn to take a step back. To let the teen grow up and become independent. And it's important because adolescents will grow up to be adults. And they need to learn to be independent with managing their medicines and their disease.
Langer: The best way I think that we can reach our teens is really by understanding what they do every day. And what's important to them. Considering using text messaging as reminders to take their medicines. Some kids like alarms. They use alarm programs instead.
Chandler: Living with epilepsy as a college student is much easier than I thought it would be. I'm open with my epilepsy. And I'm not going to let epilepsy hold me back.
Langer: The adolescence is a really important time when teens are learning who they are. So we try to help teens navigate that process. So they can learn to become themselves aside from their epilepsy.
Chandler: Dr. Langer reminded me that I'm not different than anybody else. And I can just be the best Chandler that I can be. Being here at UVA, I'm getting so much more than medical treatment here. They actually care about me.