Pediatric Seizures

Jeffrey FrankChild Neurology

Oregon Neurology Associates

Disclosure

• I do not have a financial interest, arrangement or affiliation with any organizations that could be perceived as a real or apparent conflict of interest in the context of the subject of this presentation.

Seizures Historically

• Ancient Babylonia– Miqtu – “the falling disease”– If a person loses consciousness and foams at the

mouth, it is Miqtu – Miqtu – ‘to possess’• Ghosts and demons

Seizures Historically

• Hippocrates– Not a sacred disease– First to describe epilepsy as a brain disorder

• The Falling Sickness• Shakespeare – Epilepsy– Othello 1603– Epilepsia • to seize • to be taken hold of

Seizure

• Old French ‘seisir’ – to take possession by force

• Popular – sudden and severe event• Medically – transient occurrence of signs

and/or symptoms due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain– Epileptic Seizure

Epilepsy

• Historical - Two or more unprovoked seizures• ILAE 2005 - disorder of the brain characterized

by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiologic, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition. The definition of epilepsy requires the occurrence of at least one epileptic seizure

Epilepsy

• At least two unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring greater than 24 hours apart.

• One unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures similar to the general recurrence risk (at least 60%) after two unprovoked seizures, occurring over the next 10 years.

• Diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome– Epilepsy is considered to be resolved for individuals who had an

age-dependent epilepsy syndrome but are now past the applicable age or those who have remained seizure-free for the last 10 years, with no seizure medicines for the last 5 years.

Seizure?

• Popular – sudden and severe event• Medical– Epileptic seizure• Synchronous neuronal activity

– Nonepileptic seizure

Nonepileptic Seizures

• Psychogenic– Psychologically induced– Behavioral episode

• Nonpsychogenic– “Organic” but not of epileptic origin

Nonpsychogenic

• “Organic”• Typically not responsive to anticonvulsants• May still be stereotyped• Any age

Nonepileptic Childhood Events

Breath Holding Spells

• Typically 6mos to 2yrs– Can extend to 5-6 years

• Provoked• Gasp Apnea Pallor/cyanosis• Altered sensorium, stupor or syncope• Twitches or jerking movements• Breathing returns after syncope• Child typically recovers quickly

Benign Sleep Myoclonus

• Sudden, quick, jerk-like movement • In sleep• Not rhythmical • Patient can be woken

Stereotypies

• Rigidly, repetitive and invariable• Inappropriate in nature• Head Banging• Hand Flapping• Body Rocking• Toe Walking• Echolalia

Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo

• Sudden onset dizziness or ataxia– Can be provoked by vestibular stimulation

• Typically lasts minutes– Can last up to 2 days

• May act very scared• Often hold on to people/objects• May be accompanied by headache

Non Epileptic All Ages

Migraine Variants

• Hemiplegia• Loss of vision• Aphasia / slurred speech • Confusion • Fluctuating consciousness• Visual auras• Vertigo

Syncope

• Often preceded by symptoms– Dizziness, darkening vision, weakness

• Loss of tone / Limp• Pallor / Cyanosis• Eyes closed• May have convulsive mvmts• Lucid on wakening

Tics

• Stereotyped• Multiple versions– Motor or Vocal

• Suppressible• Can be complex

“Normal” Behavior

• Daydreaming• Sleep• Confusional Arousal

Epileptic Seizures

• Stereotyped complex movements– May be focal or generalized– Though student may have multiple types– Evolution

• Paroxysmal– Clear beginning and end

• Involuntary / Uncontrollable• Not distractible / interruptible • Post-ictal phase

Generalized Seizure Types

• Generalized Tonic Clonic– ‘Grand Mal’

• Tonic Seizure– Stiffening

• Myoclonic Seizure– Jerk-like movements

• Atonic – Sudden loss of postural tone

• Absence– ‘Petit mal’

Focal Seizure Types

• Focal Motor seizure– Sustained, rhythmical movements– May progress, migrate or generalize

• Clonic– Jerking movements

• Complex Partial– Alteration of awareness– Staring

• Autonomic

Psychogenic Nonepileptic

• “Pseudoseizure”• Psychological / Psychiatric / Behavioral– Subconscious/unconscious symptoms• Somatization Disorder• Conversion

– Conscious• Factitious• Malingering

– Anxiety

Epileptic vs Psychogenic

Epileptic Psychogenic

Eyes open Eyes closed

Continuous w/evolution Stop and go

Rhythmical movements Erratic / ‘thrashing’

Guttural sounds, aphasia Stuttering

Fetal position, flexion Opisthotonic, arching

Emesis Crying

Tonic stiffening Thrusting

Unresponsive* Responsive / aware*

Amnesia* Recollection of event*

*Patient may retain partial awareness/memory w/focal seizure

Acute Intervention

• Remain calm• Check the time• Thoughtfully observe while acting• Check for medical ID / Seizure plan• Place/roll patient to side– Prevent fall / gently help from chair/standing

• Do not restrict movements – Cushion if possible

• Do not put anything into mouth– Including medications

When to call EMS

• Any signs of cardiorespiratory compromise• No known seizure disorder– No seizure action plan or– If seizure action plan indicates

• Seizure does not show signs of stopping after 5 minutes

• Second seizure begins before patient returns to neurological baseline

• Any signs of physical injury• Unexpected focal neurological findings

After the Seizure

• Document details of seizure– Time of onset– Length– Description of movements, evolution– Triggers?– Post-ictal phase?– Awareness/responsiveness?

Medication Intervention

• Diastat – prepackaged rectal diazepam• Dosing should be pre-dialed• Rectal administration• Typically administered if seizure > 5 min• May cause side effects– Drowsiness– Confusion

• Minutes

Intranasal Midazolam

• May need to be drawn up• ½ total dose in each nostril• Typically for seizure > 5min• May cause side effects– Drowsiness– Confusion

• Minutes

Oral Medications

• Rarely used• Not to be given during seizure effective

consciousness / swallowing ability• May have role for cluster of events

Home?

• No EMS criteria• Rapidly / progressively recovering• No known triggers– Missed doses– Intercurrent illness / fever– Sleep deprived

• No history of clusters