Infants with seizures can be caused by different factors and it may be a symptoms of certain medical condition, namely epilepsy. However, seizure episodes in infants can also be an isolated episode which is caused by fever, infection, intoxication, medical illnesses, etc. According to a recent research conducted by the University Of Maryland Medical Center, infants that experience seizure episodes may be caused by problems during pregnancy, neurological disorders, nerve disorders, and/or birth defects. There are times that the exact cause of an infant seizure is not identified, and in fact, some parents may not even notice their infant having a seizure attack already.
Seizure In Neonates
Seizures in neonates or newborn babies (below 2 months old) are more common than seizures that happen in infants or at older people. Neonatal Onset Epilepsy is believed to be the major cause of seizures in neonates.
The different causes of neonatal epilepsy include:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
- Congenital CNS abnormalities
- CNS infections
- Trauma
- Metabolic disorders
- Intracranial infections
- Focal ischaemic stroke
Neonates during a seizure episode may not be noticeable. Some of the common symptoms of neonatal onset epilepsy include are:
- Involuntary fast blinking of the eyes
- Staring at one direction
- Apneic episodes (episodes of cessation or pause in breathing)
- Repetitive sucking motion
- Sticking out the tongue
- Pedaling motion of the all extremities (arms, hands, legs, and feet).
Infantile Onset Seizure
Infantile onset seizure refers to the onset of seizure to infants between 4 months old to 6 months old. However, infantile onset seizures are not only limited to happen during 4 months to 6 months old, it can also happen to children 1 year old to 2 years old. This type of seizure episode may produce more noticeable symptoms compared to seizures in neonates. Symptoms of infantile onset seizures may include temporary body paralysis, nodding of the head, or involuntary relaxation and contraction of muscles that usually happens 20 times to 30 times repetitively, which can last for a few seconds. During seizure episode, the baby may cry.
Seizure Caused by Fever
One of the most common causes of seizures in infants is fever. Seizures during fever in infants are also known as febrile seizures. Febrile seizures in infants are usually isolated cases, which would not happen again later in life. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke, symptoms of febrile seizure in infants may greatly vary from each infant. Some infants may experience violent involuntary contraction and relaxation of muscles, temporary body paralysis, muscle rigidity, staring at one direction, jerking movements of the body. Febrile seizures in infants should not be taken lightly even if it is commonly an isolated case, since febrile seizures can affect the overall health of your baby.