Neonatal seizures typically appear in babies under 28 days old, according to the Hospital for Sick Children. While babies who experience convulsions in the early days following birth may be stricken with a lifelong condition, it does not necessarily mean the child will develop epilepsy. The causes of early childhood seizures vary and are more commonly found in premature infants and those with very low birthweights.
Birth Mother
Babies born to drug-addicted mothers often undergo withdrawal symptoms after birth that can include convulsions. The seizures often are attributed to the mother's addiction to barbiturates, methadone, heroin, cocaine or alcohol. Infections passed on through the placenta can cause neonatal convulsions in babies. Illnesses such as meningitis, syphilis and German measles cause newborns to be at a higher risk of developing seizure-like symptoms at birth.
Delivery Problems
Problems that develop during delivery can cause newborns to have convulsions. If the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, cutting off the flow of oxygen, the child may be at risk for seizures later on. When the umbilical cord becomes depressed or the placenta detaches from the uterus too early, the baby can suffer from mild convulsions later as well.
Defects
Defects in the baby's development can begin prior to birth and cause convulsions after delivery. Genetic defects such as brain abnormalities and epilepsy are inherited defects that typically are present in one of the parents as well. Genetic seizures typically begin within the first week of life.
Illness
Sometimes, no cause is found for the convulsions, which pass soon after birth, according to the University of Connecticut Health Center. Babies may have developed an illness in the uterus or shortly after birth. A high fever can trigger seizures. Conditions such as low blood sugar or electrolyte imbalances can cause seizures, while fetuses also can develop bleeding on the brain, experience a mild stroke upon birth or be born with metabolic disorders. Blood tests and brain scans usually can determine the cause, which may be treated with medication.
Blood Interaction
Parents with incompatible blood types can produce a child with a condition that causes newborn convulsions, among other symptoms. Called hemolytic disease, the illness occurs when the mother is Rh negative blood type and the father of the baby is Rh positive. Though uncommon, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, hemolytic disease can occur when generic blood types clash, including type O, A, and B. Typically babies affected by incompatible blood types are the second or third child of the parents.
