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Types of Seizures in Kids

A seizure occurs when electrical activity in the brain is disrupted suddenly. Seizures may result in unconsciousness and tremors. Seizures can be triggered by high fevers, strokes, and brain infections or injuries. They can also be triggered by excess sodium or sugar in the blood. External causes of seizures include: stress, sleep deprivation and flashing lights. Seizure effects vary depending on what area and how much of the brain is affected. More than 20 types of seizures exist; however, the following are most common during childhood.

  1. Absence Seizure

    • Kids who experience an absence seizure may briefly lose consciousness. Some kids may stare expressionlessly, blink rapidly or roll theireyes. The children will not realize that they have had a seizure and will pick up where they left off before the seizure occurred.

    Infantile Seizures

    • When a kid has an infantile seizure, he will suddenly rise up from a prone position and extend the arms and upper body frontward. The legs will also straighten. This type of seizure lasts just a few seconds. These seizures most often occur in children under three or in children with mental retardation.

    Febrile Seizures

    • Kids from ages three months to five years may experience febrile seizures, which occur as a result of an extremely high fever. This type of seizure may last several minutes.

    Akinetic Seizures

    • Young kids may experience akinetic seizures, also referred to as a drop attack. During this seizure, the child will suddenly become limp and will lose consciousness.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Neurologists can diagnose seizures by administering an EEG test, which measures and analyzes brain activity. If the seizures are caused by an underlying condition, then that condition will be treated. However, if the seizures cannot be attributed to an underlying condition, anti-seizure medication will be used.

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