Fits, faints and funny turns

Question 1

What are the causes of ‘funny turns’ in infants and toddlers?

Answer 1

Apnoea
Breath holding spells
Febrile convulsions
Reflex anoxic spells
Infantile spasms
Hypoglycaemia
Metabolic conditions

Question 2

What are the causes of ‘funny turn’s in school aged children?

Answer 2

Epilepsy
Cardiogenic
Syncope/ Vasovagal
Hyperventilation

Question 3

When are febrile convulsions most common?

Answer 3

6 months to 5 years

Question 4

What are breath holding spells?

Answer 4

Seen in older babies and toddlers
Always precipitated by crying from pain or anger
Stop breathing
No post-ictal state

Question 5

What are reflex anoxic spells?

Answer 5

Precipitated by minor injury.
Child turns pale and collapses.
Rapid recovery
Example may be a bump to the head.
Put the child in the recovery position.

Question 6

What are infantile spasms?

Answer 6

Also called West Syndrome
‘Salaam attacks’ or ‘jack knife’ spasms
Clusters of 10-20 times
Hypsarrythmia seen
Use a Wood’s light to rule out tuberous sclerosis

Question 7

How are infantile spasms treated?

Answer 7

ACTH (corticotrophin) and vigabatrin

Question 8

How is hyperventillation managed?

Answer 8

Paper bag breathing

Question 9

What are some causes of cardiac arryythmias?

Answer 9

Wolf Parkinson White
Brugada

Question 10

When do rolandic seizures happen?

Answer 10

During the night

Question 11

When do juvenile myoclonic seizures happen?

Answer 11

Sleep deprivation, alcohol