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Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
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The Missed Value of Underutilizing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: A Systematic Review

Christopher W Beatty1, Jason P Lockrow2, Satyanarayana Gedela3

  • 1The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Columbus, OH.

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
|October 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric epilepsy surgery is underutilized, despite its long-term benefits. Addressing family, provider, and system-level barriers can improve access to this vital treatment for children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Pediatric epilepsy surgery remains significantly underutilized, with only 1%-11% of children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) receiving surgical treatment.
  • Less than half of pediatric epilepsy patients who could benefit from surgery actually undergo the procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review factors contributing to the underutilization of pediatric epilepsy surgery.
  • To evaluate the impact of underutilization on individual patients and the healthcare system.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of articles was conducted using major scientific databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science.
  • The review focused on identifying factors associated with surgery underutilization and its consequences.

Main Results:

  • Key factors contributing to underutilization include family misconceptions, insufficient provider knowledge, and systemic health disparities.
  • Despite significant upfront costs, pediatric epilepsy surgery offers long-term financial advantages and reduced healthcare resource utilization.
  • Timely surgical intervention improves seizure control and cognitive outcomes with a low complication rate.

Conclusions:

  • Interventions are necessary at family, provider, and healthcare system levels to enhance access to pediatric epilepsy surgery.
  • Increasing access to pediatric epilepsy surgery can lead to improved patient outcomes and healthcare efficiencies.

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