BATTLING SEIZURES THE PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY PROGRAM OFFERS STATEOF-THE-ART TESTING AND TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY.
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ast summer, the Pediatric Neurology Program at The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) welcomed two new pediatric neurologists: Rina Goldberg, MD, and Aviva Bojko, MD. With these experienced physicians at the helm, the program provides expert evaluation and treatment of children with a range of neurological problems—autism, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and headaches. Drs. Goldberg and Bojko, who are board-certified in
pediatric neurology and epilepsy, specialize in treating epilepsy, which affects about 470,000 children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
COMPREHENSIVE TESTING Epilepsy is marked by seizures, which occur as a result of a disruption in electrical communication between brain cells. Most cases are mild, and children usually outgrow the condition, says Dr. Goldberg. “Many children with epilepsy are likely to
To learn more or to make an appointment with a neurology specialist at Monmouth Medical Center, call 732.923.7790.
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become seizure-free within two years,” she says. “Epilepsy is often curable. Even when it’s not, it doesn’t need to interfere with leading a productive life.” There are several medications available to treat it—and new ones are being introduced every few years. (See “The Right Treatment.”) Symptoms of epilepsy aren’t always clear-cut (see “Surprising Signs of Epilepsy”). “One of my patients had been treated for anxiety and wasn’t responding,” says Dr. Bojko. “One day, she fell on the floor and experienced a convulsion. No one realized that she was actually having seizures that manifested as anxiety.” The patient was admitted to the hospital, and testing showed that she was having seizures in the part of the brain
Summer 2020
7/30/20 6:35 AM
