COVID-19 and The Conundrum About How to Return to School for Children with Epilepsy

Abstract

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) and was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Limited data suggests children are low risk and get less severe COVID‑19 infection. As the outbreak of COVID‑19 continues to spread, children with special health care needs may be at increased risk for complications. The forced school closure early in the year may have allowed for social distancing and protected children at risk from exposure to the virus. As the schools prepare to open in person schooling, the parents and caregivers of children with epilepsy are faced with unchartered and challenging decisions about how their child will return to school. When deciding between in‑person and virtual learning, limited data is available for parents and health care providers to make this decision for children with epilepsy. Presence of other comorbidities may also alter the decision and needs for school. A Parent is their child’s best advocate, who knows them and their needs the best. Some of the important considerations that can help make the best‑informed decision for this special population are discussed in this communication.