Can children with epilepsy attend regular school and participate in sports?
Most children with epilepsy attend mainstream schools and participate in sports with appropriate precautions. School staff should be informed about the child's condition and trained in basic seizure first aid. Physical activities, including swimming and cycling, can usually be continued with reasonable supervision rather than complete restriction. Activities with significant fall risk or water exposure require careful individual assessment. The right balance between safety and participation is discussed with each family based on the child's seizure type, frequency, and level of control. Avoiding unnecessary restriction supports normal development and well-being.
Written by Dr. Sameeta Mercy Prabhu, MBBS (Father Muller Medical College Hospital, 2012), MD Pediatrics (Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, RGUHS, 2020), Fellowship in Pediatric Neurology (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Rainbow Children's Hospital and BirthRight, International Airport Road, Byatarayanapura, Bengaluru 560092. Phone: 7204273076.