F
ernando was born with a hypothalamic hamartoma
— a noncancerous tumor that develops on the
hypothalamus. Because this portion of the brain
controls the body's internal balance and stimulates or
inhibits certain functions, it can affect hunger and thirst.
As a result, Fernando was frequently agitated and it could
be difficult to get him to eat.
The tumor also produced an electrical disruption in his
brain. These electrical signal issues caused Fernando
to have unpredictable seizures, sometimes as often as
eight times a day.
Serious Trouble
"Fernando began having seizures when he was
18 months old," said Blanca Guevara, Fernando's mother,
whom he lives with in Far Rockaway. "They could be
strong. On many occasions, he would fall and hit his
head or another part of his body. Other times, they were
mild, and he would just laugh."
Because his seizures could be violent and happen at any
time, Fernando always needed a family member by his
side. Ms. Guevara described the situation as making her
feel powerless.
Finding Answers
Ms. Guevara brought Fernando to the Pediatric Epilepsy
Division at Cohen Children's Medical Center in April 2015.
"Our high-volume center offers a full range of diagnostic
and treatment options specifically geared toward
pediatric patients," said Shefali Karkare, MD, program
director of Cohen Children's Pediatric Epilepsy Center and
Pediatric Neurology Residency Program. "Our epilepsy
monitoring units allow us to observe patients and see
what is happening inside their brains during a seizure. We
are an ideal place for patients like Fernando, who not only
have epilepsy at a young age but also deal with seizures
that are difficult to treat."Magnetic resonance imaging
and other tests confirmed the diagnosis of hypothalamic
Daily seizures were tough on Fernando Guevara and his family, until a new
procedure gave them hope that he could escape the cycle.
Fernando Guevara's dramatic progress since treatment at Cohen Children's is exciting for his family to see.
Giving Fernando a
Second Chance
neurology
CohenChildrens.com
6
kidsFIRST | Spring 2016
