# How Childhood Epilepsy Is Assessed in Children Under 7

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-childhood-epilepsy-assessed-in-children-under-7
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Childhood epilepsy in under-7s is assessed by a paediatrician or paediatric neurologist through a detailed history of the events, an EEG, often an MRI and blood tests. A video of an episode helps greatly. It is a doctor-led medical condition; developmental support comes alongside, not instead of, medical care.

*When a parent first sees a seizure, the questions come fast — and the good news is that childhood epilepsy is something doctors assess carefully and methodically.*

## In short
Epilepsy in a child under 7 is assessed by a **paediatrician or paediatric neurologist** — not by therapy alone. The cornerstone is a detailed **history of the events** (what happens before, during and after), supported by an **EEG** (a painless recording of brain activity), and often an **MRI** brain scan and blood tests to understand the cause. A clear video of an episode on your phone is one of the most useful things you can bring.

## What the assessment looks at
- **The story of the seizures** — how they start, how long they last, what the child looks like, and how they recover. Eyewitness detail matters enormously.
- **EEG** — records electrical patterns in the brain; sometimes done after sleep deprivation to capture more.
- **Brain imaging (MRI)** and, when needed, blood or metabolic tests to look for an underlying reason.
- **Developmental review** — because seizures can affect attention, speech, learning and movement, a clinician also checks how your child is growing across these areas.

Epilepsy is a **medical condition needing prompt doctor-led care**, not a therapy-first concern. Once seizures are well managed, developmental support can help your child thrive alongside their medical treatment.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an app or online form. For a child diagnosed with [childhood epilepsy](/childhood-epilepsy), we work alongside your neurologist, supporting speech, learning and confidence through [child development therapy](/child-development-therapy).

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 (8A6Z); NICE guidance on epilepsies in children; American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on first seizures.

**Next step —** If your child has had a seizure, see a paediatrician promptly; for developmental support alongside treatment, [book a Pinnacle assessment](/enroll).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11 — Epilepsy (8A6Z): https://icd.who.int/
- NICE — Epilepsies in children and young people: https://www.nice.org.uk/
- AAP HealthyChildren — Seizures and epilepsy in children: https://www.healthychildren.org/