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- Clinical Perinatology: Neonatal Seizures -- An Update on Mechanisms and Management
- Clinical Perinatology: Neonatal Seizures -- An Update on Mechanisms and Management
- Clinical Evidence: Febrile Seizures
- Clinical Evidence: Febrile Seizures
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Causes of Seizures in Babies
The cells in the human brain communicate with one another via electrical signals. When these electrical signals become chaotic, a seizure occurs. Seizures are the physical manifestations of this brain short-circuit. In babies, symptoms of seizures can be nonspecific and range from lip smacking and groaning noises to the full-blown, generalized body shaking typically associated with seizure disorders. Seizures can have many causes in babies, including infections, metabolic conditions, trauma and birth injuries and febrile seizures 3.
Infections
Infections of the central nervous system may cause seizures. These include meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue itself. Bacteria, viruses and, rarely, fungi can cause these infections. In babies, viruses such as enteroviruses can cause encephalitis. The herpes simplex virus can also cause life-threatening seizures and brain infection. According to a study reported in February 2012 in the journal "The Lancet," group B strep remains the most common bacterial cause of meningitis in newborns. Vaccines have decreased the incidence of meningitis caused by a bacterium called Haemophilus influenzae, but unvaccinated children are at risk for developing this serious infection, which can cause high fever and seizures.
- Infections of the central nervous system may cause seizures.
- Vaccines have decreased the incidence of meningitis caused by a bacterium called Haemophilus influenzae, but unvaccinated children are at risk for developing this serious infection, which can cause high fever and seizures.
Hypoglycemia
Infant Seizures Signs & Symptoms
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Some babies are born with conditions that interfere with their body’s normal metabolic function. For example, some conditions cause hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose. Glucose is the main energy source for the brain. When the level of glucose decreases below a certain level, it can cause a seizure. According to a 1997 review article in the "European Journal of Pediatrics," infants who are smaller than normal at birth commonly have low blood glucose 1. Another important risk factor for hypoglycemia is if the infant's mother has gestational diabetes. When this happens, the baby's glucose drops rapidly after birth, leading to lethargy, difficult feeding and possibly seizures.
- Some babies are born with conditions that interfere with their body’s normal metabolic function.
- When the level of glucose decreases below a certain level, it can cause a seizure.
Trauma and Birth Injuries
According to a study in the December 2009 issue of the journal "Clinical Perinatology," the most common cause of symptomatic seizures in newborns is brain malfunction caused by lack of oxygen 3. This condition -- known as hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy -- can happen if oxygen is lacking while the fetus is developing the womb or if the baby's oxygen supply is compromised during labor and delivery. The lack of oxygen can lead to permanent brain injury and predispose to the occurrence of seizures.
Febrile Seizures
What Are the Causes of Rapid Breathing in an Infant?
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Febrile seizures are common in babies as young as 6 months of age 3. They are brief seizures than happen when a baby’s temperature suddenly rises, usually as a result of a mild infection. According to a November 2010 article in the journal "Clinical Evidence," febrile seizures are usually brief, lasting less than 15 minutes with full recovery within an hour 3. This type of seizure usually does not recur within a 24-hour period. These types of seizures usually do not cause long-term problems, although a small percentage of babies with febrile seizures develop epilepsy 3.
Cautions
If your baby has a seizure, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. Emergency medical personnel are trained to deal with seizures by providing oxygen and antiseizure medications.
Related Articles
References
- European Journal of Pediatrics: Neonatal Seizures
- Clinical Perinatology: Neonatal Seizures -- An Update on Mechanisms and Management
- Clinical Evidence: Febrile Seizures
- The Lancet: Group B Streptococcal Disease in Infants Aged Younger Than 3 Months: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Huff JS, Murr N. Seizure. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Updated July 23, 2019.
- Stafstrom CE, Carmant L. Seizures and epilepsy: an overview for neuroscientists. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015;5(6):a022426. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a022426
- Adamolekun B. Seizure Disorders. Merck Manual Professional Version. Updated November 2018.
- Englander J, Cifu DX, Diaz-Arrastia R. Seizures and traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014;95(6):1223-1224. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.002
- Chen HY, Albertson TE, Olson KR. Treatment of drug-induced seizures. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2016;81(3):412-419. doi:10.1111/bcp.12720
- Nardone R, Brigo F, Trinka E. Acute Symptomatic Seizures Caused by Electrolyte Disturbances. J Clin Neurol. 2016;12(1):21-33. doi:10.3988/jcn.2016.12.1.21
- American Heart Association. Controlling Post Stroke Seizures. Updated December 10, 2018.
- Ding K, Gupta PK, Diaz-Arrastia R. Epilepsy after Traumatic Brain Injury. In: Laskowitz D, Grant G, eds. Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group; 2016.
- Zoons E, Weisfelt M, De Gans J, et al. Seizures in adults with bacterial meningitis. Neurology. 2008;70(22 Pt 2):2109-2115. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000288178.91614.5d
- Vezzani A, Fujinami RS, White HS, et al. Infections, inflammation and epilepsy. Acta Neuropathol. 2016;131(2):211-234. doi:10.1007/s00401-015-1481-5
- American Society of Clinical Oncology. Brain Tumor: Symptoms and Signs. 2019.
- Pohlmann-Eden B, Beghi E, Camfield C, Camfield P. The first seizure and its management in adults and children. BMJ. 2006;332(7537):339-342. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7537.339
- Goldenberg MM. Overview of drugs used for epilepsy and seizures: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. P T. 2010;35(7):392-415.
- Maschio M. Brain tumor-related epilepsy. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2012;10(2):124-133. doi:10.2174/157015912800604470
- Epilepsy Foundation. Triggers of Seizures. 2014.
- Fisher RS. The New Classification of Seizures by the International League Against Epilepsy 2017. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2017;17(6):48. doi:10.1007/s11910-017-0758-6
Writer Bio
Ruben J. Nazario has been a medical writer and editor since 2007. His work has appeared in national print and online publications. Nazario is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and is board-certified in pediatrics. He also has a Master of Arts in liberal studies from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.