Pediatric seizures

Reet Sidhu1, Kohilavani Velayudam, Gregory Barnes

  • 1Department of Neurology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Pediatrics in Review
|August 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Effective epilepsy treatment requires understanding seizure semiology, EEG results, and origin. Video EEG and home videos aid syndrome diagnosis, while managing comorbidities and discontinuing antiepileptic drugs are crucial for patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Epilepsy management is complex, requiring tailored treatment strategies.
  • Pediatric epilepsy syndromes often present with comorbidities.
  • Uncontrolled seizures pose significant risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline evidence-based approaches for diagnosing and managing epilepsy.
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of strong and moderate evidence, including consensus statements.
  • Utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and video recordings for diagnosis.
  • Considering comorbidities and treatment complications.

Main Results:

  • Treatment decisions are guided by seizure semiology, EEG findings, and epilepsy origin.
  • Video EEG and home videos are vital for delineating epileptic syndromes.
  • Pediatric epilepsy centers may prioritize neuropsychologist referral for comorbidities.

Conclusions:

  • Antiepileptic drug therapy requires careful management and discontinuation after treatment.
  • Prompt and accurate diagnosis, alongside comprehensive management, is essential to mitigate risks associated with uncontrolled seizures.

Related Concept Videos

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,...
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...
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.
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...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...