SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Neonatal-Seizures

Neonatal Seizures

Neonatal Seizures: Pathogenesis and clinical findings Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Hemorrhage & intracerebral infarction Acute Trauma Infections (e.g. encephalitis, meningitis) ↑ Pro-inflammatory signaling Neurocutaneous syndromes (e.g. Tuberous sclerosis) Brain lesions disrupt cortical formation Metabolic disturbance (e.g. hypoglycemia, hyponatremia) Electrolyte imbalances alter osmolality Ion transport disruption Malformations of cerebral development Structural alteration in signal transmission Medication induced (e.g. anesthetics, opioids, alcohol) Direct toxicity or withdrawal symptom Benign neonatal seizures ↓ Blood flow to the brain Authors: Pauline de Jesus Reviewers: Annie Pham Emily J. Doucette Jean Mah* *MD at time of publication ↑ Neuronal excitability Non-Familial No specific underlying genetic etiology (likely environmental) Familial Autosomal dominant epileptic syndrome Derangement in the distribution of excitatory & inhibitory neurotransmitters and networks in the brain causes cortical dysfunction ↑ Influx of extracellular Ca2+ ↑ Opening of voltage dependent Na+ channels ↑ Influx of Na+ Voltage-gated K+ channels lose their function ↓ of K+ current Impaired repolarization of neuronal cell membranes Subtle Seizures Imitation of normal behaviours Clonic Seizures Alternating excitatory & inhibitory activity Tonic Seizures Excessive, widespread excitatory activity Myoclonic Seizures Rapid bursts of excitatory activity High frequency bursts of action potentials, hyper-synchronized depolarization in neuronal populations, & ↓inhibitory signaling in surrounding neurons Neonatal Seizures Sudden, paroxysmal, abnormal alteration of electrographic activity lasting from seconds to minutes from birth to the end of the first 4 weeks of life Paroxysmal alterations in behaviour Paroxysmal alterations in autonomic function (apnea) Focal: Altered activity in one neuronal population Multifocal: Asynchronous migration of depolarization Focal: Altered activity in one neuronal population Generalized (rare): Altered activity propagating to the cortex of both hemispheres Focal: Altered activity in one neuronal population Rapid jerks of upper extremity flexor muscles Multifocal: Asynchronous migration of depolarization Asynchronous twitching of multiple muscle groups Generalized (rare): Altered activity propagating to the cortex of both hemispheres Bilateral jerks of upper & sometimes lower limb flexors Paroxysmal alterations in motor function (ocular, oral-buccal-lingual) Slow, rhythmic jerks in muscles of the face, extremities, or axial structures unilaterally Time- synchronized EEG seizure activity Sustained limb posturing or asymmetric posturing of axial structures Sustained extension & flexion of upper extremities with extension of lower extremities ↑ Susceptibility to seizures later in life Neurodevelopmental dysfunction in learning, memory & cognition Legend: Pathophysiology Mechanism Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding Complications Published Mar 14 2025 on www.thecalgaryguide.com