Because there are many causes of seizures in babies, determining the problem or disorder behind a particular child's seizures is important to properly treat them. Seizures do not typically cause permanent brain damage, especially if they last fewer than 10 minutes, as most infant seizures do, according to BabyCenter.
Symptoms
A baby who is having a seizure may convulse, stiffen or make jerking movements. He may experience a loss of consciousness or stare into space and become nonresponsive. Breathing problems and a loss of bladder control may be other symptoms. Mild seizures may present as confusion, dazedness or irritability.
Causes
In a newborn, a seizure may be caused by an injury incurred during birth or by congenital defects. Babies may also develop seizures as a result of metabolic or chemical imbalances in the brain. These seizures may take a few months to appear or may occur soon after birth. Older infants sometimes develop febrile seizures, caused by a high fever. In some babies, neurological problems, infections in the brain, brain tumors or certain medications may cause seizures. Another cause of infant seizures is a deficiency of vitamin B6.
Diagnosis
According to Epilepsy.com, infants who may have had a seizure are diagnosed using many different methods to determine the type and severity of the seizure as well as whether there is an underlying disorder. Tests may involve looking at the electrical activity of the brain using an electroencephalogram. Doctors may also view the brain's structure with magnetic resonance imaging. Blood tests, spinal taps and urine tests can check for chemical and metabolic problems as well as indicate whether an infection is present.
Response
If an infant is in the midst of a seizure, a parent or caregiver should lay the baby on a flat surface, such as the floor or on a bed. Nothing should be placed in the baby's mouth, but he should be turned to the side so that any saliva or vomit will not go back down his throat and choke him. Timing the seizure is important so the doctor can know how long it lasted. After the seizure is finished, the child should be brought to his pediatrician immediately for evaluation or to the emergency room if his doctor is unavailable.
Treatment
Treatment involves preventing future seizures by fixing or easing the underlying problem. Sometimes, treatment is simple. In the case of a vitamin V6 deficiency, for instance, vitamin injections or supplemental vitamin B6 can prevent future seizures. In other situations, treatment is more complex and may involve medication for epilepsy, surgery, vagus nerve stimulation or a special diet. An infant who has had a seizure will be carefully monitored to ensure that treatment is working.
