neonatal seizures Flashcards
what are the causes of neonatal seizures ?
hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy cerebral infarction septicemia/meningitis metabolic intracranial hge cerebral malformations drug withdrawal congenital infections kernicterus
how would we differentiate between apnea of prematurity and apnea of convulsions ?
apnea of prematurity is accompanied by bradycardia and desaturation
apnea of convulsions is accompanied by tachycardia
what are the inborn errors of metabolism that can cause seizures ?
pyridoxine deficiency ( B6) or dependency organic aciduria
what are the types of seizure patterns ?
clonic seizures
tonic seizures
myoclonic seizures
subtle seizures
what are the features of clonic seizures ?
usually involves one limb or one side of the body
rhythmic
contraction followed by relaxation
what are the features of tonic seizures ?
sustained posturing of the limbs or trunk or deviation of the head
contraction bas
what are the features of myoclonic seizures ?
brief shock-like jerking of the muscles
also called infantile spasms
what is the origin of subtle seizures ?
subcortical in origin
what are the features of subtle seizures ?
only happen in newborns blinking smacking yawning cycling movements occurs with no stimulus
what is the most common seizure associated with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy ?
subtle seizures ( cycling movement )
what are the movement mimicking seizures ?
jitteriness
benign neonatal sleep myoclonus
how is jitteriness differentiated from seizures or convulsions ?
jitteriness happens upon stimulus and stops with restrain
convulsions don’t need a stimulus and continue with restrain
what are the features of benign neonatal sleep myoclonus ?
exclusively happens during sleep and usually only involves the upper trunk
what is the treatment for neonatal seizures ?
resuscitation and anti convulsants
followed by treatment of the cause
what is the 1st, 2nd and 3rd line treatments in anti convulsants ?
first line : Phenobarbital
second line : phenytoin
third line : clonazipam
