Approach to Neonatal Seizures in the Pediatric Emergency Department

cocukacil-5-1-2024

Dilek KAHVECİOĞLUa

aUniversity of Heatlh Sciences Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Neonatology, Ankara, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Seizures occurring within 4 weeks after birth in full-term newborns or within 44 weeks of postmenstrual age in preterm infants are considered neonatal seizures. Seizures during the neonatal period are a medical emergency. Subtle seizures are the most prevalent type of neonatal seizures, with others clonic, tonic, and myoclonic seizures. In terms of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, myoclonic seizures have the poorest prognosis. The most prevalent cause of neonatal seizures is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in full term infants. Multiple etiologies frequently coexist in newborns, therefore it is critical to rule out diseases including hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and meningitis before beginning specific medication.
Keywords: Pediatric emergency medicine; infant, newborn; seizures

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