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What Causes Seizures In An Infant?
Question: Hi My 7 months old baby having seizures so we have consulted 2 doctors.
1st Doctor - Comments - seizures ? generalized
occipital background wakefulness consists of 3-4 Hz, 40-60 uV activity.
Occasional spike and waves are seen independently with phases reversals at T3, T5> T4.
Impression - Abnormal EEG - Multifocal discharges Lt.> Rt.
Above results comments are shared by the doctor after EEG done while sleeping.
Medication - Syp Valparin(200mg/5ml) and 2ml/Morning and 2ml/night
2nd Doctor - Comments - Benign Myoclonic epilesy of infancy ? paroxysmal choreoathetosis paroxysmal events 12 - 15 per day. No post attack sleep and tiredness.
Medication - He advised to take Keppra 100mg/ml - 0.5ml/Morning and 0.5ml/night
Question - I am confused about medication provided by the doctors.
Syp Valparin or Keppra which is better?
Do these medication have any side effects?
Please help with it and i need second opinion.
1st Doctor - Comments - seizures ? generalized
occipital background wakefulness consists of 3-4 Hz, 40-60 uV activity.
Occasional spike and waves are seen independently with phases reversals at T3, T5> T4.
Impression - Abnormal EEG - Multifocal discharges Lt.> Rt.
Above results comments are shared by the doctor after EEG done while sleeping.
Medication - Syp Valparin(200mg/5ml) and 2ml/Morning and 2ml/night
2nd Doctor - Comments - Benign Myoclonic epilesy of infancy ? paroxysmal choreoathetosis paroxysmal events 12 - 15 per day. No post attack sleep and tiredness.
Medication - He advised to take Keppra 100mg/ml - 0.5ml/Morning and 0.5ml/night
Question - I am confused about medication provided by the doctors.
Syp Valparin or Keppra which is better?
Do these medication have any side effects?
Please help with it and i need second opinion.
Brief Answer:
More details required
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic. Before I try to answer your query, I would need the following information:
1. Did the baby cry at birth? Any oxygen deficiency that the child might have suffered following birth? Was the baby born preterm? What was the birth weight? Is the child otherwise doing fine?
2. When and how did the seizures start? Was it associated with fever? Could you describe the nature of the seizures? Do the occur at sleep or anytime?
Please revert back with the details and I will help you out.
More details required
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic. Before I try to answer your query, I would need the following information:
1. Did the baby cry at birth? Any oxygen deficiency that the child might have suffered following birth? Was the baby born preterm? What was the birth weight? Is the child otherwise doing fine?
2. When and how did the seizures start? Was it associated with fever? Could you describe the nature of the seizures? Do the occur at sleep or anytime?
Please revert back with the details and I will help you out.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
1. Did the baby cry at birth?
Yes, Baby cried
2. Any oxygen deficiency that the child might have suffered following birth?
No
3.Was the baby born preterm?
No, Delivery was normal
4.What was the birth weight?
3.2Kg
5.Is the child otherwise doing fine?
He is active , he identifies the faces and smiles, trying to grab things and he is good.
1. When and how did the seizures start?
It was from 4 months where hands and leg shaking, In last 3 weeks eyes also get starred.
2.Was it associated with fever?
No
3.Could you describe the nature of the seizures?
While sleeping we haven't noticed. While is awake leg and hand shaking followed by eyes starring or eyes black spot goes upward for sometime, which will last from 5 seconds to 20 seconds and we distract him he will be normal and playing with us actively.
Yes, Baby cried
2. Any oxygen deficiency that the child might have suffered following birth?
No
3.Was the baby born preterm?
No, Delivery was normal
4.What was the birth weight?
3.2Kg
5.Is the child otherwise doing fine?
He is active , he identifies the faces and smiles, trying to grab things and he is good.
1. When and how did the seizures start?
It was from 4 months where hands and leg shaking, In last 3 weeks eyes also get starred.
2.Was it associated with fever?
No
3.Could you describe the nature of the seizures?
While sleeping we haven't noticed. While is awake leg and hand shaking followed by eyes starring or eyes black spot goes upward for sometime, which will last from 5 seconds to 20 seconds and we distract him he will be normal and playing with us actively.
Brief Answer:
Benign focal (rolandic) seizure
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I have carefully gone through the details. What you have described is focal seizure and may be absence seizure too. Myoclonic seizures generally occur during sleep. To me it seems more likely to be Benign focal (rolandic) seizures. Benign means harmless. So you need not worry. Valproic acid or Valparin would be the drug of choice in this case and also in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. However Keppra (levetiracetam) is a good drug too.
The following link might be helpful for you (though a bit technical)
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0901/p1109.html
Benign focal (rolandic) seizure
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I have carefully gone through the details. What you have described is focal seizure and may be absence seizure too. Myoclonic seizures generally occur during sleep. To me it seems more likely to be Benign focal (rolandic) seizures. Benign means harmless. So you need not worry. Valproic acid or Valparin would be the drug of choice in this case and also in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. However Keppra (levetiracetam) is a good drug too.
The following link might be helpful for you (though a bit technical)
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0901/p1109.html
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thanks for your kind response
can you please let us know the side effects of these drugs ?
How long do my baby needs to take this drug ?
does this medicine cure epilepsy permanently ?.
can you please let us know the side effects of these drugs ?
How long do my baby needs to take this drug ?
does this medicine cure epilepsy permanently ?.
Brief Answer:
Epilepsy needs treatment, don't bother ab side eff
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back. At least a few convulsion free months are required before the drugs can be reduced or withdrawn. Weaning should take place over 3–6 months because abrupt withdrawal may cause acute seizures, a condition called status epilepticus.
Side effects of Valproic Acid: Children taking valproic acid may exhibit appetite increase and weight gain. Nausea and vomiting can also occur. The most serious side effect of valproic acid is however liver failure. Periodic liver function tests need to be done to monitor that if it occurs, it can be detected early such that the medication can be changed.
Side effects of Lamotrigine are generally mild. A rash is the most common reason for stopping the medication. It develops in about 3% of people who use Lamotrigine. Other, less frequent side effects include headache, drowsiness, abnormal eye movements, and balance problems.
Ketogenic Diet is a non-drug intervention that is older epileptic treatment. It has been found to be effective for some individuals with epilepsy. Children must consume a diet composed largely of fat-the ratio of fat to carbohydrates and protein is typically 4 to 1 and the components need to be weighed for each meal and maintained. Much of the fat needs be taken as heavy cream, mayonnaise, or butter. Because of low fiber content, constipation is common. Children on the diet also have an increased (3%) risk of kidney stones.
With such interventions most often the epilepsies get cured but the effect varies with the actual nature of cause and there can be recurrence in 10-40% cases after the medication is stopped. But in your child's case, probably there is less to worry.
Epilepsy needs treatment, don't bother ab side eff
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back. At least a few convulsion free months are required before the drugs can be reduced or withdrawn. Weaning should take place over 3–6 months because abrupt withdrawal may cause acute seizures, a condition called status epilepticus.
Side effects of Valproic Acid: Children taking valproic acid may exhibit appetite increase and weight gain. Nausea and vomiting can also occur. The most serious side effect of valproic acid is however liver failure. Periodic liver function tests need to be done to monitor that if it occurs, it can be detected early such that the medication can be changed.
Side effects of Lamotrigine are generally mild. A rash is the most common reason for stopping the medication. It develops in about 3% of people who use Lamotrigine. Other, less frequent side effects include headache, drowsiness, abnormal eye movements, and balance problems.
Ketogenic Diet is a non-drug intervention that is older epileptic treatment. It has been found to be effective for some individuals with epilepsy. Children must consume a diet composed largely of fat-the ratio of fat to carbohydrates and protein is typically 4 to 1 and the components need to be weighed for each meal and maintained. Much of the fat needs be taken as heavy cream, mayonnaise, or butter. Because of low fiber content, constipation is common. Children on the diet also have an increased (3%) risk of kidney stones.
With such interventions most often the epilepsies get cured but the effect varies with the actual nature of cause and there can be recurrence in 10-40% cases after the medication is stopped. But in your child's case, probably there is less to worry.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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