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Causes
Seizures are caused by abnormal brain function. Seizure disorders can start at any age.
For most people it is not known what causes the malfunction. Some known causes include:
In newborns:
- Congenital brain abnormalities—present at birth
- Birth injuries which deprive the brain of oxygen
- Metabolic disorders
- Maternal drug use
- Infection
In infants and children:
- Complex febrile seizure —caused by spike in fever in a baby or very young child
- Brain tumor
- Infections (encephalitis, cerebritis, brain abscess)
In children and adults:
- Congenital conditions—present at birth
- Genetic
- Head Trauma—common cause (eg, concussion , skull fracture, oxygen deprivation due to near-drowning )
- Infections (eg, encephalitis , cerebritis, brain abscess)
In elderly:
- Stroke
- Trauma
- Brain tumor
- Degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
Risk Factors
The following factors increase your chance of developing some seizure disorders:
- Previous brain injury—seizure disorder usually develops within 1 year of injury
- Previous brain infection
- Brain tumor
- History of stroke
- History of complex febrile seizures
- Use of certain medications or recreational drugs
- Stopping the use of medications, recreational drugs , or alcohol
- Drug overdose
- Exposure to toxins such as arsenic , lead , or carbon monoxide
- Family history of seizure disorders
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Toxemia during pregnancy
- Chemical abnormalities (decreased or excess blood sodium or glucose, low blood calcium)
- Liver or kidney failure
- Severe, untreated high blood pressure
- Chronic diseases such as lupus , polyarteritis nodosa , porphyria , sickle cell disease , Whipple’s disease
- Syphilis
If you already have a seizure disorder, the following factors can increase your chance of having a seizure:
- Sleep deprivation
- Alcohol
- Hormonal changes (such as those that occur at points during the menstrual cycle)
- Stress
- Flashing lights, especially strobe lights
- Use of certain medications
- Missing doses of anti-epileptic medications
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.