Epilepsy In Babies : Signs & Causes

3 min read

Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

epilepsy in babies

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes unnatural. Epilepsy in babies causes seizures or, at times abnormal behavior, emotions, and loss of knowledge. The illness can develop in any person. It has its effect on both men and women of any age.

Types of seizures are vast in range. Some people having epilepsy just always stare at the time of seizure, while others regularly jerk their arms or legs. Having a seizure for one time does not prove you have epilepsy. At least two baseless seizures are usually needed for an epilepsy analysis.

In This Article

What are the Signs of Epilepsy in Babies?

Epilepsy in babies is caused by unusual activity in the brain. Seizure signs and symptoms in infants may involve:

  1. Temporary confusion
  2. A bald spell
  3. Obstinate jerking actions of the arms and legs
  4. Loss of cognizance or awareness
  5. Psychic signs such as fear, stress, or deja vu

Types Of Seizures

infant epilepsy

Doctors usually divide seizures as either Focal or Generalized:

Focal Seizures

When epilepsy in babies seems to lead to unusual activity in just one area of your brain, they are known as focal seizures. These seizures have two parts:

  • Focal seizures without loss of consciousness.
  • Focal seizures with impaired awareness.

Signs of focal seizures may be confused with other brain disorders, such as migraine, narcolepsy, or mental sickness. A thorough analysis and testing are required to differentiate epilepsy from other illnesses.

Generalized Seizures

Epilepsy in babies or seizures in babies that seem to include all areas of the brain are known as generalized seizures. The six kinds of generalized seizures are as follows:

1. Absence Seizures

Absence seizures usually occur in babies and are featured by just staring into space or complex body actions such as eye blinking or lip-smacking. These seizures may come in groups. It can also cause a temporary loss of awareness.

2. Tonic Seizures

This kind of seizure leads to stiffening of muscles. These seizures affect the back, arms, and legs muscles and may lead one to fall to the ground.

3. Atonic Seizures

Atonic seizures are also called drop seizures. It lets a significant loss of muscle control. That causes one to swiftly faint or fall.

4. Clonic Seizures

Clonic seizures are linked with constant or swift, twitch muscle actions. These seizures often affect the neck, face, and arms.

5. Myoclonic Seizures

Myoclonic seizures generally arrive as quick short jerks or twitches of arms and legs.

6. Tonic-Conic Seizures

Tonic-clonic seizures are the most critical kind of epileptic seizures. These can cause an abrupt loss of cognizance, body stiffening and jarring, and at times loss of bladder control or tongue biting.

What Are The Causes Of Epilepsy In Babies?

Epilepsy in babies, in 50 percent of the cases, has no specific cases. In the other half, the state may be due to several aspects, involving:

  • Genetic Influence

Few kinds of epilepsy, which are described by the type of seizure you undergo or the part of the changed brain, run in families. In these states, there is likely a genetic impact.

  • Head Trauma

Head trauma as an effect of a car accident or other traumatic damage can cause epilepsy.

  • Brain Conditions

Brain situations that damage the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can lead to epilepsy.

  • Infectious Diseases

Dangerous diseases, such as meningitis, and viral encephalitis, can be the reason for epilepsy.

  • Prenatal Injury

Before birth, babies are sensitive to brain harm due to many aspects, such as an infection in the mother, a poor balance diet, or oxygen deficit. This brain damage can result in epilepsy in babies or cerebral palsy.

  • Developmental Disorders

Epilepsy can at times be linked with growth disorders, like, autism and neurofibromatosis.

Treatment of Epilepsy In Babies

epilepsy in infants

Treatment with medicines or sometimes surgery can restrain seizures for many infants with epilepsy. Some patients may also need lifetime treatment to control seizures. But for others, it can vanish as the baby starts growing. Consult the best doctors before undergoing any treatment or medication for epilepsy in babies. As a parent, you cannot take any risk as it is a matter of the brain. Thus, search for the best neurologist.

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Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

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