Seizures in Infants

A seizure is an abnormal or excessive neuronal activity of the brain that may cause muscle spasms, loss of consciousness and many other body dysfunctions. Seizures in infants normally occur in the initial two days due to excessive stress occurring during delivery, acute chemical imbalances, infections or sometimes due to temporary instability of electrical circuits in the brain, which however tend to get better with time. Children are most susceptible to seizures as their brains are developing, hence, seizures in children are mainly due to congenital abnormalities of the brain.

Causes
The developing brain is vulnerable to various affronts, before, during and after birth. Fortunately, due to modern neuroimaging and molecular genetics studies, the chances of determining probable causes of seizures in infants have improved greatly.

• Genetic or chromosomal brain disorders
• Birth trauma or other trauma for example, shaken baby syndrome
• Injury from hemorrhage or infection before birth
• Infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, human immunodeficiency virus-HIV, coxsackievirus B, etc., present at birth
• Infections like escherichia coli, streptococcus, sepsis, etc., after birth
• Vitamin or electrolyte deficiencies or imbalances
• Inborn errors of metabolism, i.e., inability to generate certain chemicals that the brain needs to function
• Stroke
• Smoking, alcohol consumption, drugs and certain medications

Symptoms
The intensity and the degree of seizures in infants vary according to the type of seizure, and are sometimes hard to recognize. However, some of the probable symptoms that indicate that an infant is having seizures are as follows:

• Rhythmic movements of the eyes, one or both arms, or one or both legs
• Rapid and frequent flexing of the arms or legs against the body
• Sudden onset of increased body stiffening
• Sudden jerky movements

Treatment
Neuroimaging procedures (CT, MRI, PET, SPECT) are used to diagnose any brain damage or any electrical disturbance localized within specific areas of the brain. Laboratory analysis of blood and urine are also used to determine possible infections or disorders of metabolism and nutrition that might be the underlying cause of the infant's seizures.

Nearly 30 - 50% of infants who have a seizure will have a second seizure, hence, treatment is rarely started after the first seizure. In fact, the infant is usually treated with medications only if the seizure lasts for more than 15 minutes. If medications are given, one should start at a low dose and gradually increase the dose under the doctor's supervision to lessen the risks of side effects. For younger children, medicines can be given twice a day; the pills can be crushed and sprinkled over the food. Infants who are only fed formula or breast milk, the pills can be crushed and mixed with a small quantity of liquid and can be given by putting the mixture into a nipple or on the sides of the baby's mouth with the help of a small syringe. Never put the medicine into a bottle as it may stick to the sides of the bottle. Some seizure medications also come in liquid form that can be given to the infants, but under a doctor's supervision.

Watching an infant have a seizure can be a traumatic site for parents, therefore, it's essential to record what is exactly happening to the child so one can describe the incident properly to a doctor. Diagnosis of seizures and determining the underlying cause can be an intimidating task, as infants are unable to convey what they are feeling. However, frequent seizures in infants can be a symptom of a severe health disorder in neonates that should not be ignored and may require prompt treatment.