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What Causes Seizures in Toddlers?

Seizures are convulsions where consciousness is lost while the body's limbs move involuntarily. Seizures often leave victims unharmed. However, seizures can be a sign of other illnesses. The most frequent seizures seen in toddlers or infants are febrile seizures. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 1 in 25 children will experience febrile seizures. Febrile seizures often prove to be harmless and are a result of illness.

  1. Epilepsy

    • According to the Mayo Clinic epilepsy is "two or more seizures without an acute cause. About 1 in 100 Americans have epilepsy." Epilepsy can occur at any age, but is usually diagnosed in toddlers and infants.

    Body Temperature

    • Body temperature can signal a seizure in small children. Both high body temperatures or fevers as well as low body temperatures can cause a toddler to seizure. These types of seizures happen only once or twice to children two-years-old or younger, usually after an illness. This type of seizure due to a spiking of the body temperature is classified as a febrile seizure.

    Dehydration

    • Febrile seizures can also occur due to dehydration. Dehydration is a direct result of a previous illness that included sweating and fever.

    Physical Condition

    • A toddler or small child that is in poor physical condition can also be prone to seizures. Malnutrition or a body weakened by disease or illness makes small children more susceptible to seizures.

    Family History

    • Family history can play a role in toddlers or infants having seizures. If a family member was prone to or had seizures, especially febrile seizures, as a child this trait may be inherited.

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