Abstract
Seizures in the newborn period constitute a medical emergency. Subtle seizures are the commonest type of neonatal seizures, other types being clonic, tonic, and myoclonic. Myoclonic seizures carry the worst prognosis in terms of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the most common cause of neonatal seizures. Multiple etiologies often co-exist in neonates and hence it is essential to rule out conditions such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and meningitis before initiating specific therapy. A comprehensive approach for management of neonatal seizures has been described.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mizrahi EM, Kellaway P. Characterization and classification. In Diagnosis and management of neonatal seizures. Lippincott-Raven, 1998; 15–35.
Ellenburg JH, Hirtz DG, Nelson KB. Age at onset of seizures in young children. Ann Neurol 1984; 15: 127–134.
National Neonatal Perinatal Database. Report for year 2002–03. National Neonatology Forum, India.
Volpe JJ. Neonatal Seizures. In Neurology of the newborn. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1999; 172–225.
Painter MJ, Scher MS, Stein MD, Armatti S, Wang Z, Gardner JC et al. Phenobarbitone compared with phenytoin for treatment of neonatal seizures. N Engl J Med 1999; 341: 485–489.
Rennie JM. Neonatal seizures. Eur J Pediatr 1997; 156: 83–87.
Nirupama Laroia. Controversies in diagnosis and management of neonatal seizures. Indian Pediatr 2000; 37: 367–372.
Wical BS. Neonatal seizures and electrographic analysis: evaluation and outcomes. Pediatr Neurol 1994; 10: 271–275.
Hall RT, Hall FK, Daily DK. High-dose phenobarbital therapy in term newborn infants with severe perinatal asphyxia: a randomized, prospective study with three-year follow-up. J Pediatr 1998; 132: 345–348.
Ajayi OA, Oyaniyi OT, Chike-Obi UD. Adverse effects of early phenobarbital administration in term newborns with perinatal asphyxia. Trop Med Int Health 1998; 3: 592–595.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sankar, M.J., Agarwal, R., Aggarwal, R. et al. Seizures in the newborn. Indian J Pediatr 75, 149–155 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-008-0023-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-008-0023-8