Seizures Pediatrics-Schwartz Flashcards
What is a seizure?
a phenomenon of heightened neuronal excitability and depolarization which spreads to neighboring neurons, columns, gyri, lobes to produce a loss of function or not
What is epilepsy?
***At least 2 unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart.
T/F Epilepsy involves…One unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures similar to the general recurrency risk after 2 unprovoked seizures (at least 60%), occurring over the next 10 years.
**True.
What is a semiology? Which seizure types have unique semiologies in pediatrics?
**progression of clinical signs that occur during the course of a seizure
neonatal seizures & febrile seizures
What is the prevalence of epilepsy in children?
Incidence 0.2% at birth. Drops to 0.1% age three and stabilizes at .05%. (USA)
Prevalence 0.7%
Life time incidence of epilepsy - 1/26.
When do neonatal seizures occur?
Occur up to 28 days post term but usually in first week of life
How can you differentiate seizures from normal movements in a neonate?
*****You can differentiate the motor phenomena of seizures from release phenomenon by whether the movement(s) is induced by stimulation (noise, tactile, passive movement) or stopped by repositioning.
What is a focal clonic epileptic seizure?
Repetitive rhythmic jerking of a limb, face or trunk
What is a focal tonic epileptic seizure?
Sustained posturing of a limb, eye deviation, assymetric trunk
T/F Generalized tonic “seizures” are non-epileptic.
**True.
What does a generalized tonic non seizure look like? What is it commonly due to?
*****sustained, symmetric posturing – non-epileptic
Limbs, neck, trunk.
Flexor extensor or mixed
Commonly due to GERD
Are myoclonic seizures epileptic? Spasms epileptic? Motor automatisms?
Myoclonic: epileptic or not
Spasms-epileptic
Motor Autospasms–non-epileptic, eye movements, oral movements
What are some causes of neonatal seizures?
***hypoxia infection intracranial hemorrhage congenital CNS abnormalities *****electrolyte disturbance-calcium, sodium, glucose, magnesium metabolism problems toxins genetic issues
What is the treatment for neonatal epilepsy?
treat the cause–hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, pyridoxine
Treat w/ AED
When do neonates not need AED?
Brief and infrequent focal motor, focal tonic or myoclonic seizures
When should you withdraw the AED treatment for a neonate?
2 weeks after the last seizure if the EEG is negative.
What are the medications used to treat epilepsy?
Levetiracetam
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
If still seizing: ativan or midazolam + high dose PB or DPH
What is an example of a newer AED?
lacosamide
What are febrile seizures? Which age group do they usu affect?
common seizure of childhood
3mo-5yo
What percentage of febrile seizures are benign?
***85% are benign.
simple ones last less than 10 minutes
generalized & don’t recur w/i 24 hours
What is considered a complex febrile seizure? Is this benign?
longer than 10 min & recur in 24 hours…
not benign.
How should you evaluate febrile seizures?
- ***lumbar puncture–done in children less than 1 yo
* *should be done in every child w/ a first complex febrile seizure or w/ meningeal signs
How do you treat prolonged febrile seizures? Recurrent seizures?
Febrile: benzodiazepine, ativan, midazolam
Recurrent: Diastat
What are the risk factors for febrile seizures?
Age (6 mo – 3 yrs) Degree of temperature elevation FS in 1st or 2nd degree relatives Family hx of afebrile seziures Slow development of child Maternal smoking and EtOH during pregnancy Day care attendance
What are the risk factors for recurrent febrile seizures?
First at <1 yr old Abnormal neonatal hx
Family hx of FS Family Hx of retardation
FS following low grade or brief fever
Epilepsy in 1st degree relative
Complex febrile seizures
Neurodevelopmental abnormalities
Attendance at day care