Epilepsy and Seizures in Kids

The brain is the center that controls and regulates all voluntary and involuntary responses in the body. It consists of nerve cells that normally communicate with one another through electrical activity.

A seizure occurs when parts of the brain receive a burst of abnormal electrical signals that temporarily interrupt normal electrical brain function. During an epileptic seizure, the neurons may fire as many times as 500 times a second, compared to a normal rate of 80 times a second.

For some people, seizures only happen occasionally; for others, it may happen hundreds of times a day.

There are several different types of seizures in children, including:

Partial (focal) seizures

This type of seizure takes place when abnormal electrical brain function occurs in one or more areas of one side of the brain. About one-third of children with partial seizures experience an aura before the seizure occurs. An aura is a strange feeling, consisting of either visual changes, hearing abnormalities or changes in the sense of smell. Two types of partial seizures include:

• Simple partial seizures: This type of seizure typically lasts less than one minute. A child might show different symptoms depending on which area of the brain is involved. If the abnormal electrical brain function is in the occipital lobe (the back part of the brain that is involved with vision), the child’s sight may be altered. A child’s muscles are typically more commonly affected. Seizure activity is limited to an isolated muscle group, such as fingers, or to larger muscles in the arms and legs. Consciousness is not lost in this type of seizure. A child might also experience sweating or nausea or become pale.
• Complex partial seizures: This type of seizure commonly occurs in the temporal lobe of the brain (the area that controls emotion and memory function). These seizures usually last one to two minutes. Consciousness is usually lost during these seizures, and a variety of behaviors can occur, such as gagging, lip smacking, running, screaming, crying or laughing. When a child regains consciousness after the seizure, he or she might complain of being tired or sleepy. This is called the postictal period.

Generalized seizures

Generalized seizures involve both sides of the brain. There is loss of consciousness and a postictal state (sleepy or tired feeling) after the seizure occurs. Types of generalized seizures include:

• Absence seizures (also called petit mal seizures): These seizures are characterized by a brief altered state of consciousness and staring episodes. Typically, a child’s posture is maintained during the seizure. The mouth or face may move, or the eyes may blink. These seizures usually last no longer than 30 seconds. When the seizure is over, a child might not recall what just occurred and might go on with activities, acting as though nothing happened. These seizures can occur several times a day. This type of seizure is sometimes mistaken for a learning or behavioral problem. Absence seizures almost always start between 4 and 12 years old.
• Atonic (also called drop attacks): With atonic seizures, there is a sudden loss of muscle tone, and a child can fall from a standing position or suddenly drop the head. During the seizure, a child is limp and unresponsive.
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (also called grand mal seizures): This type of seizure is characterized by five distinct phases. First, the body, arms and legs will flex (contract), extend (straighten out) and tremor (shake). This is followed by a clonic period when the muscles contract and relax. Then, the child will experience a postictal period which is distinguished by a sleepy or tired feeling. During the postictal period, the child might have problems with vision or speech and could have a bad headache, fatigue or body aches.
• Myoclonic seizures: This type of seizure refers to quick movements or a sudden jerking of a group of muscles. These seizures tend to occur in clusters, meaning they may occur several times a day or for several days in a row.
• Infantile spasms: This rare type of seizure disorder can occur in infants anytime within the first two years of age. This seizure has a high occurrence rate when the child is waking or trying to go to sleep. The infant usually has brief periods of movement of the neck, abdominal area or legs that last for a few seconds. Infants can have hundreds of these seizures a day. This can be a serious problem and can have long-term complications.
• Febrile seizures: This type of seizure is associated with fever. These seizures are more commonly seen in children between 6 months old and 5 years old, and there might be a family history of this type of seizure. Febrile seizures that last less than 15 minutes are called “simple” and typically do not have long-term neurological effects. Seizures lasting more than 15 minutes are called “complex,” and there might be long-term neurological changes in a child.
  
  

A child might experience one or many seizures. While the exact cause of the seizure might be unclear, more common seizures are caused by certain identifiable factors.

In newborns and infants, a seizure may be caused by:

• Birth trauma
• Congenital (present at birth) problems
• Fever
• Metabolic or chemical imbalances in the body

In children, adolescents and young adults, a seizure may be caused by:

• Alcohol or drugs
• Trauma to the head
• Infection

Other possible causes for seizures in children may include: 

• Brain tumor
• Neurological problems, such as drug withdrawal or medicine
• Tuberous sclerosis complex
• Genetic mutations

A seizure often changes how your child looks or acts. Seizures may cause your child to lose consciousness. Some children will not remember that a seizure even happened, while others will remember having a seizure.

Common signs of seizures in kids may include:

• Falling
• Shaking or jerking
• Uncontrollable or involuntary muscle spasms
• Drooling from the mouth
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Staring
• Confusion