Seizures occur in babies as early as right after birth. They have a number of causes, some relatively benign and others with more severe consequences. Seizures in infants may not be easy to recognize, especially in the newborn period, the BC Epilepsy Society explains. Rapid eye movement, flexing and extending of an arm or leg, body stiffening and jerky movements can all occur in newborn seizures. Staring, breathing changes, brief spasms of the trunk and extremities or loss of consciousness can occur in older infants. Fewer than 50 percent of infants who have one seizure ever have another.
Birth Trauma
Birth trauma that causes bleeding into the brain can cause seizures that may occur for a short time after birth. Low oxygen levels, a condition called hypoxia-ischemia, is the most common cause of newborn seizures, according to Merck Manuals. These kind of seizures tend to stop after three to four days.
Fever
Febrile seizures are the most common type of infant seizure, occurring in one in 20 infants. Febrile seizures most often affect children between ages 6 months and 6 years and may run in families, the Medical University of South Carolina reports. Febrile seizures which last less than 15 minutes generally have no long-term effects and don't need treatment. Febrile seizures lasting more than 15 minutes, called complex seizures, may cause long-term neurological damage and require medication.
Infection
Infection can cause seizures in newborns and older infants. Meningitis, group B streptococcus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus all can cause infant seizures, the Merck Manual states. Treating the infection generally stops the seizures.
Metabolic Problems
Low blood sugar, low or high sodium levels or low calcium or magnesium levels in the blood in the neonatal period can also cause seizures, according to the Merck Manual. Treating the underlying problem stops the seizure activity.
Neurological Disorders
Infantile spasms usually start between the ages of 4 and 6 months, according to Loyola University . Infantile seizures, which are caused by various neurologic diseases, cause developmental problems in up to 95 percent of babies with an identifiable seizure cause and 60 percent in those for whom no cause can be identified. An infant may have hundreds of seizures a day, often when first waking or falling asleep, the Medical University of South Carolina reports. Infantile spasms may not respond to standard anti-convulsants and may require injections of ACTH, a hormone produced by the pituitary.
