Pronounced: Nee-oh-nay-tul see-zhur
A seizure is a change in behavior that is caused by sudden, abnormal, and excessive electrical activity in the brain. A neonatal seizure occurs in newborn babies.
Seizures may be severe or mild, and may cause physical changes like convulsions. Seizures may affect only part of the body or the entire body. A short seizure itself does not cause serious health conditions. However, a seizure may be a symptom or side effect of a more serious health condition. Prolonged seizures can lead to permanent damage due to lack of sufficient oxygenation and excessive brain cell activity (excitotoxicity).
There are a variety of causes of seizures in children, which include:
Sometimes seizures occur for unknown reasons.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The following factors increase your child's chance of having a seizure:
Seizure symptoms may include:
Your doctor will ask about your child‘s symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include the following:
Treatment for the seizures depends on the cause of the seizures. Some seizures require no treatment, while others may require treatment of the underlying condition responsible for the seizure. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your baby.
For febrile seizures, which are most common in children and caused by fever, treatment is rarely required. Your doctor may advise that you give your baby medicine to keep fever down whenever he/she gets sick. Treatment options for other types of seizures include medications and surgery.
Anticonvulsant medication may be prescribed to help prevent the abnormal brain activity that causes seizures. Medications are not usually prescribed for febrile seizures .
Surgery of the brain may help reduce seizures in some patients with epilepsy. Surgery may involve separating nerve fibers or removing a portion of the brain to reduce or eliminate seizures.
If your newborn is diagnosed with neonatal seizures, follow your doctor's instructions.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org
The Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
British Columbia Ministry of Health
http://www.bchealthguide.org
Epilepsy Ontario
http://www.epilepsyontario.org
References:
Hogan T. Seizure disorders in childhood. Loyola University Medical Education Network website. Available at: http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedED/pedneuro/epilepsy.htm. Accessed April 20, 2007.
Neonatal seizures. Intensive Care Nursery Staff House Manual. The University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital website. Available at: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/childrens/health_professionals/manuals/48_Seizures.pdf. Accessed April 20, 2007.
Wong W. Neonatal seizures. Pediatric Epilepsy Center website. Available at: http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/epilepsy/pediatric/articleNeonatalSz.html. Accessed April 20, 2007.
Last reviewed April 2008 by Rimas Lukas, MD
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.
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