PEDIATRIC SEIZURES

Pediatric Seizures 1. Acute Symptomatic Seizures Occur at the time of systemic insult or in close association (<1 week) with documented brain insult. Causes include: Metabolic (hypoglycemia, hypo/hypernatremia, hypocalcemia) Trauma Bleed Masses Drugs/Toxin/Withdrawal Autoimmune CNS Infection Febrile Seizures 2. Epilepsy Defined as: ≥2 unprovoked seizures OR 1 unprovoked seizure with high risk (>60%) of further seizures (e.g., abnormal EEG) Types: Remote Symptomatic Remote brain injury Cortical malformation Genetic/metabolic syndrome Infectious (HIV, parasite) Known epilepsy gene Idiopathic/Genetic No known cause Presumed genetic (no specific gene identified, but twin/family studies suggest genetic link) 3. Single Unprovoked Seizure First seizure with normal EEG ~10% of population have one Notes: Some epilepsies can be classified into more than one etiological category Some epilepsies can be classified into more specific epilepsy syndromes Some conditions are potentially acutely life-threatening (*)