SUDDEN PAROXYSMAL EVENT

Sudden Paroxysmal Event A. Is this a seizure? Clues Non-suppressible ↓ LOC Rhythmic movements Eye deviation Post-ictal state Incontinence If YES → Seizure If NO → Non-epileptic paroxysmal event → See: Seizures/Paroxysmal Events: Approach to Non-Epileptic Paroxysmal Events B. Is this seizure SYMPTOMATIC of something else? If YES → Symptomatic Causes Drugs Infection Meningitis Encephalitis Brain abscess Febrile seizure Metabolic Hypoglycaemia Hyponatraemia / Hypernatraemia Hypocalcaemia Structural Brain tumour / other space-occupying lesion Congenital structural anomalies (e.g., Tuberous Sclerosis, Sturge-Weber Syndrome) Abusive head trauma / other traumatic brain injury Stroke / intracranial bleed → See: Seizures/Paroxysmal Events: Approach to Pediatric Epilepsies If NO → Non-Symptomatic Ask What kind of seizure? → See: ILAE Classification of Seizure Types What is the age of the child? Are they developmentally normal or abnormal? Note: Epilepsy = 2 unprovoked seizures → See: Seizures/Paroxysmal Events: Approach to Pediatric Epilepsies * Indicates Key Condition This is not an exhaustive list of medical conditions.