Pediatric Epilepsy/Neurophysiology

Program Overview

Sidra Medicine is the only pediatric tertiary care hospital in the state of Qatar, serving as the primary referral center for children with epilepsy, not only locally but also across the broader region. The Pediatric Epilepsy/Neurophysiology Fellowship is a one-year program designed for pediatric neurologists seeking advanced training in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy and related neurophysiological conditions in children.

The hospital is equipped with a state-of-the-art 6-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), offering continuous video EEG monitoring, with an average of 150-200 admissions per year. This facility provides fellows with invaluable exposure to the management of children with intractable and medically refractory epilepsy, as well as an opportunity to engage with the hospital’s comprehensive epilepsy surgery program.

In addition, fellows will gain significant exposure to outpatient epilepsy clinics, where they will work alongside experienced epileptologists in managing a wide variety of epilepsy cases. They will also participate in the inpatient evaluation of children with intractable seizures, including the use of advanced diagnostic tools and tailored treatment plans ranging from pharmacologic, dietary and surgical options.

The core objectives include:

1. Mastery of Pediatric Epilepsy Diagnosis and Management: Gain expertise in identifying and managing various types of epilepsy syndromes in children, including genetic, structural, metabolic, and unknown etiologies.

2. Advanced EEG Interpretation Skills: Acquire proficiency in interpreting routine, prolonged, ambulatory, and video EEGs, including neonatal and pediatric recordings.

3. Intraoperative and ICU Monitoring: Learn to interpret EEGs in intensive care and surgical settings, including intraoperative monitoring and status epilepticus evaluation.

4. Presurgical Epilepsy Evaluation: Develop skills in evaluating patients for epilepsy surgery, including use of imaging, functional mapping, and intracranial monitoring.

5. Neurostimulation Therapies: Understand indications, programming, and follow-up care for devices like VNS and DBS in pediatric patients.

6. Dietary Therapies: Understand indications, initiation, and follow-up care for dietary therapies including the Ketogenic Diet in medically-refractory epilepsy.

The Pediatric Epilepsy/Neurophysiology Fellowship consists of continuous exposure to the following rotations during the 1-year training.

Key Rotations

    • Electroencephalography (video EEG) – Outpatient studies
    • Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) – Inpatient video EEG
    • Complex Epilepsy Clinics
    • Intra-operative monitoring
    • Research

  • Completion of a Pediatric Neurology fellowship/residency training program (board eligible or board certified)

Program Director Name: Dr. Ruba Benini

GME Email: gme@sidra.org

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