Karo, North Sumatra. Two brain activity tests on a 16-year-old student who developed memory problems after suspected food poisoning linked to a government-provided free meal showed normal results, local health authorities said Thursday, although doctors are continuing to investigate her symptoms.

Febiona Purba, a vocational high school student, previously experienced seizures and was diagnosed with amnesia after falling ill following a meal at school on August 13, according to her family and local health officials. It remains unclear whether her memory loss will be permanent or whether it was directly caused by the suspected food poisoning.

Karo Regency Health Office Secretary Mardin Purba said Febiona underwent electroencephalogram (EEG) tests at two different hospitals, with both producing consistent results.

“According to the medical teams treating her at the hospitals, EEG examinations were conducted twice at different hospitals, and both consistently showed that the electrical activity in the patient's brain was within normal limits,” Mardin told reporters.

An EEG records electrical activity in the brain and can help doctors assess certain neurological conditions. A normal EEG result, however, does not by itself explain the cause of memory impairment.

Febiona has been treated by several specialists at Haji Hospital Medan and Adam Malik Central General Hospital in Medan, including doctors specializing in infectious diseases, neurology, pediatrics and psychiatry.

Despite the normal EEG findings, her continuing memory problems remain a concern for the medical team.

The Karo Health Office and hospital doctors will continue evaluating and treating her condition.

“Because our patient is still experiencing symptoms, the medical team we mentioned earlier has decided to continue treatment, and we will examine her condition carefully,” Mardin said.

Febiona is currently receiving outpatient treatment at Adam Malik Central General Hospital.

Memory Problems Emerged after Hospitalization
Febiona's case drew public attention after amateur footage showing her condition circulated widely on social media.

Her mother, Elvinus Lusiana Sitanggang, said the family became aware of Febiona's memory problems after she was transferred out of intensive care.

Febiona had also suffered seizures shortly after eating the government-provided meal at school, according to her mother.

“When she was in the hospital ward, we showed her a photograph of her aunt on her phone, and she said, ‘I don't know her,’” Elvinus said in Medan.

“When she became ill from the food, she had already complained of dizziness and itching all over her body,” she added.

Elvinus said she then gave her daughter canned milk, but Febiona vomited shortly after drinking a small amount and was taken to a public hospital, where she was treated for three days.

The family remains concerned because medical examinations conducted so far have not identified a serious underlying illness that would explain her symptoms, according to Elvinus.

She said doctors had told the family that examinations of Febiona's brain, kidneys and blood had produced good results.

“They said there was no illness. The results for everything, including her brain, kidneys and blood, were all good, according to the hospital staff,” Elvinus said.

Doctors have not yet established what caused Febiona's continuing memory problems.

Add as a preferred source on Google +