Infant Seizures Signs & Symptoms

A seizure is a characteristic symptom of epilepsy and may be caused by birth defects, problems during pregnancy or delivery, illness, fevers, infections and poisons in the body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC, also notes that some infants may experience seizures due to brain and nervous system disorders such as hydrocephalus or fluid buildup in the brain. Seizures in infants due to epilepsy will occur more than once, while seizures due to fevers and other reasons are usually isolated. A pediatrician can determine if an infant is suffering seizures due to epilepsy.

Repetitive Motions

Neonatal onset epilepsy causes seizures in infants under the age of two months, as explained by the EpilepsyFoundation.org. This type of seizure involves repetitive motions symptoms such as sucking, blinking and fluttering the eyelids, tongue extending, lip smacking and pauses in breathing. Other repetitive motions that indicate a seizure in infants include paddling or wrist-waving motions of the hands and pedaling movements of the legs and feet.

Muscle Spasms

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The EpilepsyFoundation.org notes that infantile onset epilepsy seizures occur in infants that are approximately one to two years old. These seizures have symptoms of sudden and jerking muscles contractions or spasms that usually occur early in the morning while the baby is sleeping or when the infant is waking from a nap. These muscle contractions may last for up to a few seconds each and occur in clusters that affect the head, neck, legs, trunk and arms. The muscles contractions may be so small and subtle that may not be immediately noticeable but will cause the baby to cry suddenly and excessively.

Loss of Consciousness

Grand mal or severe and dramatic seizures can occur in babies over two months of age. These types of seizures can result in a loss of consciousness as the infant stops breathing temporarily. The baby’s lips may also turn blue from a lack of oxygen. These symptoms can be very frightening for parents.

Muscle Stiffness

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Grand mal seizures and febrile seizures in infants, which occur due to high fevers can cause stiffening or paralysis of the muscles, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that body stiffening symptoms usually last for approximately five minutes and include fixed staring, muscle rigidity or limpness and loss of muscle tone.