Seizures in children Flashcards
Seizure
clinical expression of abnormal, excessive synchronous discharges of cortical neurons
Epilepsy
conditions in which seizures recur over a period of time without precipitants
Ictus
sudden attack or seizure
Postictal
period after seizure typically characterized by an altered level of consciousness
Epilepsy criteria (3)
- At least two unprovoked seizures > 24 hours apart
- One unprovoked seizure and high risk for more
- Diagnosis of epilepsy syndrome
Epidemiology in order for seizures
Idiopathic
Vascular
Traumatic
Developmental
Infectious
Neoplastic
Degenerative
Focal (partial) - seizure classification
initial activation limited to one hemisphere
most common form
Aware (simple partial)- seizure classification
consciousness fully maintained (auras) - focal motor, sensory, other
Impaired awareness (complex partial) - seizure classification
Consciousness impaired
Continuous or repeated focal motor automatism - chewing, kicking, arm flailing
Generalized - seizure classification
clinical changes indicate involvement of both hemispheres from the start
Tonic and atonic seizures
Tonic - stiffening
Atonic - sudden flaccidity or limpness; “drop attacks”
Clonic and tonic seizures
Clonic - can be trunk, face or limbs; often at night
Tonic/clonic - muscles stiffen, person falls to ground, arms and legs jerk rapidly
Absence seizure
Absence - altered awareness, staring
Status epilepticus
Life threatening
> 30 minute seizure
Multiple seizures occurring frequently enough that consciousness is not regained between seizures
Systemic complications of status epilepticus
Hypoxemia
Acidemia
Glucose alterations
BP, HR and central venous pressure disturbances
Elevated ICP
Neonatal seizures
Occur in response to identifiable etiology
Neonatal or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Metabolic disturbances
CNS/systemic infections
Structural brain lesions
Drug withdrawal or intoxication
