Seizure disorders in children Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

what are some causes of ‘non-epileptic seizures’?

A

febrile seizures
acute symptomatic seizures due to meningitis/trauma
convulsive syncope
breath-holding spells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

in what kind of seizure will consciousness be impaired?

A

ALWAYS in generalised seizures

or in focal seizures which become generalised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what do we call seizures where you retain consciousness?

A

simple partial seizures (relate to focal seizures because generalised seizures are ALWAYS with impaired consciousness)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

ddx for seizure like activity?

A
syncope
breath-holding spells
sleep jerks (normal phenomenon)
parasomnias
migraines
movement disorders e.g. tics, stereotypy
psychogenic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is the difference between tremor and clonic jerking?

A

clonic jerking has a contraction and relaxation phase whereas a tremor doesn’t.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

if you ever have awareness of a seizure, it must be …..?

A

focal seizure or aura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

how can we provoke an absence seizure?

A

hyperventilation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is the classical definition of epilepsy in paediatrics?

A

recurrent (2 or more) unprovoked (afebrile), epileptic seizures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are the two categories of epilepsy which may indicate prognosis for the child?

A

genetic/idiopathic/primary- children with predisposition for epilepsy but normal neurology, may have a family history of seizures–> good prognosis

secondary/structural/metabolic- children have epilepsy from some structural/metabolic primary cause e.g. brain trauma, hypoglycaemia, intracerebral tumour etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the peak age for breath holding episodes?

A

1-2 year old toddlers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

febrile convulsions occur in –% of healthy children

A

3%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are some things you should tell a parent about what to do if their child has another febrile convulsion?

A

Tell them that they may notice their child LOC, become stiff, jerk, red or blue in the face. This may last for several minutes and they may be drowsy/irritable afterwards.

• Stay calm, time the episode, remove harmful objects, recovery position, don’t put anything in their mouth

IF:
>5 minutes, child does not wake up after convulsions stops, child has another convulsion within the same febrile illness, child looks really sick –> call ambulance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is the recurrence rate for febrile convulsions for a child?

A

Recurrence rate depends on the age of the child; the younger the child at the time of the initial convulsion, the greater the risk a further febrile convulsion (1 year old 50%; 2 years old 30%).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly