[Diagnosis of seizures in the neonatal period]

Abstract

Seizures in the neonatal period are practically always a symptom of an underlying illness. Quick diagnosis and treatment can be crucial to the outcome. A few aetiological factors account for most of the seizures. However, a significant number is caused by rare conditions such as metabolic or genetic disorders, and arriving at the right diagnosis can be challenging. Previous studies indicate, that a standardized algorithm clearly improves the diagnostic success. This article presents an overview of aetiological factors and an algorithm for a standardized work-up.