The human brain is composed of neurons, cells that generate electrical signals to communicate with each other. A seizure or convulsion is the result of a misfiring of these electrical signals. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, about 10% of the U.S. population will exhibit a seizure in their lifetimes. About 120,000 children under the age of 18 have a first-time seizure every year, most of them in children less than five years of age who have a febrile seizure.
Febrile Seizures
The most common type of seizure in children is a febrile seizure. These seizures occur in children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years of age. They are the result of a sudden raise in the body's core temperature, usually caused by an infection. These seizures are described as generalized tonic-clonic: the child has whole body shaking and relaxing, with the muscles constantly contracting and relaxing. During the seizure, the child rolls his eyes back and is not conscious of what is happening. These seizures usually last less than 15 minutes. Febrile seizures are benign and do not usually cause long-term problems or result in epilepsy.
Generalized Seizures
Generalized seizures involved both sides of the brain. Apart from the whole-body shaking, children with these seizures can have loss of bladder and bowel control and usually have brief period after the seizure, called the post-ictal period, when they have loss of consciousness and are difficult to arouse. There are several types of generalized seizures. Absence seizures are characterized by staring spells. During the time of the seizure, the child appears to be stating off into space and does not interact with his surroundings. These episodes are brief and, once over, the child carries on with whatever he was doing without knowing that he had a seizure. Another generalized seizure in children is the infantile spasm. These seizures usually occur in infants less than one year of age. During these seizures, the infant has brief periods of movement of arms or trunk, almost as if someone had startled him.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures occur when only one or a few parts of the brain are involved in the abnormal electrical activity. Before these seizures begin, the child sometimes has an aura, or a feeling that something is wrong. During these seizures, the child may experience abnormal muscle movements of one extremity or one side of the face. They may experience lip smacking, tongue thrusting or eye twitching. She may even appear to have behavioral problems, like screaming suddenly, laughing or crying uncontrollably. Occasionally, these seizures can become generalized and result in whole-body shaking.
