Non Epileptic Seizures Fits and Funny Turns

Question 1

What is the most common type of seizure which occurs in children?

Answer 1

Febrile convulsions.

1 in 30 kids will have had one by the time they are 6.

Usually occurs between 18months and 3 years.

Question 2

What is the relationship between febrile convulsions and epilepsy?

Answer 2

Very slightly increases risk of epilepsy compared to general population if it is a generalised tonic clonic seizure.

If it is a focal (partial) seizure of there are focal signs then there is a greater risk of epilepsy.

Question 3

What is the likely diagnosis: child’s left arms starts jerking followed by the rest of his body.

Answer 3

Focal tonic-clonic seizure developing into a generalised seizure.

Question 4

What is the likely diagnosis: toddler holds breath whilst crying his lips turn blue and he momentarily loses consciousness but rapidly recovers.

Answer 4

Breath holding episodes (expiratory apnoea syncope)

Most commonly occurs in children between the age of 1 and 3

Question 5

What is the likely diagnosis: a child screams becomes pale and falls to the floor and then begins jerking.

Answer 5

Reflex anoxic seizure

Child has syncope in response to a painful/frightening stimulus. The seizure then occurs due to hypoxia.

Question 6

What is the likely diagnosis: a child falls to the floor whilst in assembly and quickly recovers?

Answer 6

Vasovagal syncope

Question 7

What is the likely diagnosis: a child loses consciousness whilst watching TV on the sofa?

Answer 7

Cardiac syncope/atonic seizure

Question 8

What is the likely diagnosis: a child with a 3 day history of coryza symptoms starts having a generalised seizure.

Answer 8

Febrile convulsion