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Seizures in children

Marla J Friedman1, Ghazala Q Sharieff

  • 1Division of Emergency Medicine, Miami Children's Hospital, FL 33155, USA. mjfbabydoc@bellsouth.net

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|April 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric seizures are common neurologic disorders affecting 4-10% of children. This article reviews seizure types, diagnosis, and management for children experiencing seizures.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Seizures represent the most frequent pediatric neurologic disorder.
  • Approximately 4-10% of children experience at least one seizure before age 16.
  • Incidence peaks in children under 3 years old, declining with age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the classification of pediatric seizures.
  • To detail diagnostic approaches for pediatric seizures.
  • To describe management and disposition strategies for pediatric seizure disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiologic data on pediatric seizures.
  • Synthesis of current diagnostic criteria for seizures.
  • Summary of established treatment and management protocols.

Main Results:

  • An estimated 150,000 children have a first unprovoked seizure annually.
  • Around 30,000 of these children subsequently develop epilepsy.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for pediatric seizure outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric seizures are a significant public health concern requiring timely intervention.
  • Comprehensive understanding of seizure types, diagnosis, and management is essential for pediatric care.
  • Effective treatment strategies can mitigate the long-term impact of epilepsy in children.

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