Q: My year old daughter weighs 7.8 kg. She got fits for the first time when she was just six months old. The doctor told us that it is common for children to get fits up to the age of 5 years. Till now, she has faced five episodes of fits, thrice with fever and twice without it. Is this normal? Her EEG test and blood test reports are normal. But for treating her fits, the doctor has prescribed Gardinal medicine at night. The doctor says that my daughter needs to take this medicine in the form of syrup or tablet for at least the next two years. Is Gardinal safe for a year old child?

A:Your child will be classified as having Epilepsy, because she has had fits without fever. The 2 important things to find out are:

• The cause for which you will have to get blood tests and MRI Brain
• Is her development normal for her age? Gardinal tablet works better than the syrup, is usable at this age, but not in school going age because it can cause hyperactivity, attention deficits and behavioural problems in upto 40% patients. If after a year, she has had no fits and the EEG is normal, the medicine should be tapered off.