When children experience a first seizure, families often face long waits to see a specialist, delaying diagnosis and treatment during a critical period for brain development. Dayton Children’s Hospital identified this gap in care and responded with an innovative solution: a specialized First Seizure Clinic designed to provide rapid access to pediatric epilepsy expertise.

The clinic’s unique model was initiated in 2017 and has since received national recognition for its impact on access, quality and early intervention in pediatric seizure care. The information related to the First Seizure Clinic was shared by the American Epilepsy Society during its Annual Meeting in Atlanta, December 5 through 9, as a newsworthy abstract. The clinic has since received national attention for its innovative approach to early seizure evaluation and coordinated care.

Historically, children may wait weeks or even months after a first seizure to see a specialist. Through Dayton Children’s First Seizure Clinic, most children are now seen within one week of referral.

“We recognized that delays after a child’s first seizure were creating unnecessary risk and anxiety for families,” said Gogi Kumar, MD, chief of neurology at Dayton Children’s. “Our First Seizure Clinic is an innovative approach that allows us to act quickly, protect brain health and give families clear answers and a plan sooner.”

The First Seizure Clinic is a specialized outpatient model that rapidly evaluates children after a first seizure to determine the cause, assess the risk of recurrence and begin appropriate care.

Innovation is central to the clinic’s design. Every child receives an electroencephalogram, or EEG, during the initial visit, eliminating delays that often occur when testing is scheduled separately. When additional testing is needed, including long-term EEG monitoring or brain imaging, it is coordinated quickly. Social workers are also available at the first visit to help families address barriers to care, such as scheduling challenges, transportation or follow-up needs.

“For children with seizures, time truly matters,” Kumar said. “Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of further seizures, injury and long-term developmental challenges. This clinic allows us to intervene earlier and support healthier outcomes for children.”

For more information about pediatric neurology and epilepsy services at Dayton Children’s here.