Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

[An infant with unexplained epilepsy]

J Carlijn van Gaal1, Ronald Petru, Lilian T J Sie

  • 1Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, Afd. Neurologie, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|December 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A severe case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy was diagnosed in an infant after prolonged, unexplained seizures and cardiac arrest. This rare form of child abuse is difficult to detect and often delayed in diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Abuse
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Infants presenting with unexplained medical conditions require thorough investigation.
  • Refractory seizures in infants can indicate complex underlying issues.

Observation:

  • A 6-month-old infant experienced intractable seizures, requiring intensive care.
  • Despite extensive workup, no organic cause for the infant's condition was identified.
  • The infant later developed ventricular fibrillation, leading to resuscitation and discovery of ethanol intoxication.

Findings:

  • The infant's condition was diagnosed as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of child abuse.
  • The syndrome involves fabricated or induced illness in a child by a caregiver.
  • Ethanol intoxication from ingested disinfectant was the direct cause of the cardiac event.

Implications:

  • Munchausen syndrome by proxy is an underdiagnosed and potentially fatal condition.
  • Early recognition by healthcare professionals is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Pediatricians and general practitioners must maintain a high index of suspicion for this syndrome in unusual pediatric cases.

More Related Videos

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates05:58

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates

Published on: September 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures ll: Types01:19

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...