Seizures and Shaking in Newborns and Babies

Abstract

Babies and small children can make movements that look like seizures but are nonpileptic and call only for reassurance. Features more suggestive of seizure are vital sign changes, stereotyped, occur across different setting/situations, involve head/eye movement, cannot be stopped with repositioning, and are not stimulus induced/trigger. If a child's medical history is positive for risk factors for seizures, then further work up may be necessary. Risk factors include birth history concerning perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy/prematurity/neonatal intensive care unit stay, genetic condition/diagnosis, developmental delay, and prior seizures. Electroencephalography and imaging may be necessary when seizure disorder is suspected and can clarify diagnosis.

Keywords: Abnormal movement; Babies; Infants; Neonatal seizures; Seizure mimickers; Shaking.