Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
Published on: June 11, 2020
Hypoglycemic Seizure: Etiologies and Neurological Outcome in Two Differential Age of Children (Five Year Descriptive
Nahideh Khosroshahi1, Masoumeh Hassani2, Kamyar Kamrani3
1Division of Pediatric neurology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Bahrami Children Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Hypoglycemia seizures in children are common, with causes varying by age. Neonatal seizures stem from poor intake, birth asphyxia, and IUGR. In older children, causes include insulin treatment, ketotic hypoglycemia, and GSD, leading to developmental delays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Hypoglycemia is a critical pediatric emergency, with seizures being a significant symptom.
- Prompt recognition and management of hypoglycemic seizures are vital for improving patient prognosis and reducing neurological sequelae.
- Pediatricians' awareness is key to early diagnosis and effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of hypoglycemic seizures in a pediatric hospital.
- To identify the primary causes and triggers of hypoglycemia in different pediatric age groups.
- To analyze the neurological side effects and long-term consequences of hypoglycemic seizures.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 79 pediatric patients.
- Data collection included demographics, clinical presentations, blood sugar levels, causes of hypoglycemia, and comorbidities.
- Neurological evaluations and follow-up assessments of sequelae were conducted.
Main Results:
- Hypoglycemic seizures occurred in 44.3% of neonates, 24.05% of infants, and 31.65% of children.
- Neonatal causes: poor intake, birth asphyxia, Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).
- Infant/child causes: insulin-treated diabetes, ketotic hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinism, Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD).
- Common sequelae: global psychomotor delay, isolated speech delay, isolated motor delay.
Conclusions:
- Maternal education on breastfeeding and avoiding early discharge can prevent neonatal hypoglycemia.
- Parental education on insulin administration is crucial for preventing seizures and complications in post-neonatal patients.
- Targeted education and early intervention strategies are essential for managing pediatric hypoglycemia and its neurological impact.
Objectives:
Hypoglycemia is a widespread pediatric emergency that can manifest in various ways. One of the most critical symptoms is the occurrence of seizures. Recognizing these episodes promptly is essential in managing the condition effectively. Physicians' apprehension, specifically pediatricians', can lead to early diagnosis and improve the prognosis by decreasing the neurologic aftermath. By presenting data and analysis on the prevalence of hypoglycemic seizures, triggers, and neurologic side effects, we plan to raise awareness of the issue. This study intends to demonstrate the leading causes of hypoglycemia and the major neurological sequels by assessing the prevalence of hypoglycemia in a children's hospital center to raise awareness of the condition.
Materials & Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted with two parts: demographic data (age, gender), clinical presentations, and lab data (blood sugar) on seizure onset, cause of hypoglycemia, and comorbidities before admission. The second part was based on neurologic evaluation and sequela follow-up.
Results:
Collectively, 79 pediatric patients were enrolled in the study, of which 51 were male (64.6%).44.3% had experienced a first episode of hypoglycemic seizures in neonacy, 24.05% in infancy, and 31.65% in childhood. In the neonatal period, poor intake, birth asphyxia, and IUGR are, respectively, the leading causes of hypoglycemic seizures. As for the infant-child group, the most common etiology was the following: diabetic patients treated with insulin, ketotic hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinism, and Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD), respectively. The most common sequelae were global psychomotor delay, isolated speech delay, and isolated motor delay, respectively.
Conclusion:
This study reveals that we can help prevent hypoglycemia by maternal education on breast-feeding and avoiding early patient discharge. Regarding the post-neonatal group, parental education on the proper application of insulin can prevent probable seizure and other consequences.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:13Seizures: Classification
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:
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
01:15Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...