Types of Epilepsy Seizures in Children

Epilepsy is a brain condition in which a person has had more than two seizures. The exact cause is not known, but there are possible factors to consider, such as fever, genetics or hidden factors within the brain.

Seizures are caused when there is a malfunction in the electrical workings of the brain. They can affect the person in one area of their body, or they can affect the whole body. If your child has a seizure, he may seem disoriented or grouchy, he may stiffen up, he may have lurching movements, he may not respond to you, and his eyes may roll back in his head. There are several different kinds of seizures that need to be considered when trying to diagnose the problem, and they fall under two different categories, focal seizures and generalized seizures.

Focal Seizures

• These type of seizures are the kind that occur in only one part of the brain and only one part of the body. Before your child has this type of seizure, he may experience an aura, which is an abnormal feeling that can lead to sensory changes, such as visual, hearing or smell. Then, he goes into the seizure.

  With a simple focal seizure, the time he is seizing is very short, and he knows what is going on the whole time. It usually will affect one part of his muscles, and he may become sick to his stomach during this type of seizure. It can also affect his ability to see, if located in the back of the brain.

  With a complex focal seizure, the time is longer, possibly up to two minutes, and he may black out, meaning he won't remember anything that went on. He may have several different types of reactions during the seizure, including choking, laughing, yelling, running or smacking his lips together. When he comes out of the seizure, he will enter into a "postictal period," in which he feels worn out from the seizure.

Febrile Seizures

• Febrile seizures occur when your child has a fever that will not go down. This type of seizure usually does not have long-term effects, but if it lasts more than 15 minutes, it can cause problems within the child's brain.

Petit Mal Seizures

• This type of seizure, also called an absence seizure, can be mistaken for the child not paying attention and usually will last about 30 seconds. The child will usually stare off into nowhere; he may blink his eyes quickly and look like he's chewing something. He doesn't know what is going on, but once the seizure goes away, he comes back and is himself again.

Grand Mal Seizures

• During a grand mal seizure, or tonic-clonic seizure, your child may start first with an aura or even cry out. He will probably fall to the ground and be very stiff, having muscle movements throughout his body. His breathing may come in short, uneven gasps, and he may lose control of his bladder or bowels, resulting in an accident. This type of seizure can last for a few seconds or even minutes. After the seizure has run its course, your child may go into the postictal period, where he feels very tired and disoriented and may have a headache; or he may just fall asleep after it's all over.

Atonic Seizures

• Atonic seizures, or drop attacks, are more common in the early part of the day, and they may cause your child to have lurching movements when he wakes up. He may be standing or sitting and suddenly fall to the floor, or his neck may droop, causing his head to fall. He also will probably black out. This type of seizure is usually rather short and can last up to a minute. Afterward, your child may stand back up and act fine.

Myoclonic Seizures

• Myoclonic seizures can come in "clusters," happening many times in one day or over several days time. This type of seizure occurs in a particular set of muscles and causes them to move without control. With any type of seizure, it is important to report it to your child's pediatrician or family doctor immediately, so that an individual diagnosis can be made and treatment given.