|  | Conditions Treatments | Neurological Disorders

Panayiotopoulos Syndrome & Autonomic Childhood Seizure Symptoms

Panayiotopoulos syndrome, or early onset childhood benign occipital epilepsy, originates in the brain area that is responsible for vision. Children may develop these seizures between the ages of 17 months and 8 years if they have a genetic predisposition.

  1. Panayiotopoulos Symptoms

    • According to the Epilepsy Foundation, children with Panayiotopoulos syndrome usually develop seizures shortly after falling asleep. These seizures are less than 10 minutes in duration and may include vomiting, gazing to one side and muscle contractions on one side or both sides of a child's body. Children may have impaired consciousness or full consciousness during seizures.

    Panayiotopoulos Triggers

    • Panayiotopoulos syndrome seizures can be triggered by going from a dark room to a room with light, going from a lightened room to a darkened room or by turning the lights off.

    Migraine Similarity

    • Children may develop headaches and see flashes of light and colored shapes before, during or after a Panayiotopoulos syndrome seizure that are similar to symptoms of a migraine.

    Panayiotopoulos Prognosis

    • Most children with Panayiotopoulos syndrome grow out of the condition within several years.

    Autonomic Symptoms

    • Several types of childhood seizures may include autonomic symptoms such as sweating, abdominal discomfort or incontinence. Skin flushing or pallor and pupil dilation may occur with these seizures.

Neurological Disorders - Related Articles