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What is a neonatal seizure? Problems in definition and quantification for investigative and clinical purposes

D A Shewmon1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024-1752.

Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society
|July 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

A standard definition for neonatal seizures is missing, hindering research on their causes, effects, and treatments. This lack of clear criteria challenges accurate quantification and consistent study findings in neonatology.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal neurology
  • Clinical neurophysiology

Background:

  • Neonatal seizures are clinically significant but lack a standardized definition.
  • Existing quantitative research is limited by inconsistent diagnostic criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the obstacles in defining neonatal seizures.
  • To suggest future research directions for establishing universal criteria.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on neonatal seizure definitions.
  • Analysis of challenges in quantifying seizure phenomena.

Main Results:

  • A universally applicable definition for neonatal seizures is currently lacking.
  • Inconsistent criteria impede accurate studies on prevalence, treatment, and prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • The inherent complexity of neonatal seizures makes universal definition difficult.
  • Further research is needed to develop standardized quantification methods for neonatal seizures.

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