Q: I have a 5 years old son. At the age of one and a half years, he had a very high fever. This was accompanied with convulsions as well. Within six months, he was admitted twice into a to hospital, for the same reason. The doctor has prescribed him valparin 200. As told by the doctor, I have been giving him regular doses of this medicine. My son is now four years and nine months old. He has got admission in a school. According to his teachers, he is very restless at school. They have asked me to get my son tested. Two years back, I had taken him to a speech therapist for the same test. I would like to know if the same test would be valid now or does my son need another test? Without the report, his teachers are not ready to allow him in class. At present we are not sending him to school. The doctor has increased the doze to 4ml. According to him, this test can be done after a month? Please tell me what should I do?

A:I think that your child needs attention on two counts: 1. How long to continue the anti-seizure medication assuming that he has not had any recurrence of convulsions during fever? You should consult an Epileptologist/Child Neurologist for this. 2. He needs to be assessed by a Child Psychologist for the cause of his hyperactive behaviour. Many times the medications used for seizures can contribute to the abnormal behaviour.