About Infant Seizures

Seizures in infants are different from incidences in adults and teenagers. Because a baby's brain is still developing and growing, infant seizures are fragmented. It's also an increasingly scary situation for parents, since the baby cannot communicate any symptoms and observation of stiffening and non-responsive behaviors are the only signs of a problem. Infant seizures are mistaken for other conditions, and they can be difficult for pediatricians to diagnose.

Genetics

• A rare form of benign familial neonatal convulsions is from an autosomal gene passed by parents. The condition causes infant seizures within a few days of life and they usually cease after several months.

Common Causes

• Common causes for infant seizures are from disease or abnormal brain formation during gestation. Meningitis is a dangerous infection that causes these seizures. They can also be caused by lack of oxygen or illnesses.

Diagnosis

• Doctors perform several tests to detect infant seizures. MRIs and an electroencephalogram (EEG) are performed. These tests enable doctors to view the brainwaves in the baby. Brainwaves become erratic during seizures, so tests show brain changes in electrical activity.

Treatment

• Treatment is dependent on the severity of the seizures. For small infant seizures, no treatment may be prescribed. For serious, large attacks, doctors prescribe medications to lessen the frequency and severity of infant seizures.

Medication

• Because infants cannot swallow pills, a common medication give for infant seizures is Depakene in liquid form.