Are You Born With Epilepsy, or Does it Develop?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures. The brain communicates through electrical signals, and, in someone with epilepsy, those signals can misfire, triggering episodes that vary widely in how they look. Some seizures cause shaking and loss of consciousness, while others are so subtle they can be mistaken for daydreaming or clumsiness, which is part of why epilepsy is not always caught right away. 

It is also worth knowing that not every seizure points to epilepsy; a single episode can have other causes, which is why seeing Dr. Henry Hasson, a pediatric neurologist in Brooklyn, New York, after your child has even one seizure is crucial. Getting the right diagnosis early can make a significant difference. Dr. Hasson will evaluate what caused your child’s seizure, whether it is likely to happen again, and whether epilepsy could be the underlying issue.

What causes epilepsy in the first place depends on the person. Some children have epilepsy because of genetic mutations or structural differences in the brain. Others develop it later in life following a brain injury, a serious infection, or for reasons that cannot always be identified. Here we explain what separates epilepsy from other seizure causes, what can cause epilepsy to develop later on, and what warning signs parents should look out for.

What makes epilepsy different from a single seizure

A seizure is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Epilepsy is the diagnosis, and it is generally defined as having two or more unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart. An unprovoked seizure is one that happens without a clear, immediate trigger like a fever or injury.

When a seizure is provoked, treating the cause often resolves the problem. But when seizures happen without an obvious reason, or when they keep recurring, epilepsy is a likely explanation. It points to an underlying change in the brain that makes it prone to repeated episodes.

Can you be born with epilepsy?

A significant number of epilepsy cases are caused by genetics or structural differences in the brain that are present from birth. With genetic epilepsy, a mutation in a gene affects how the brain develops and functions. Sometimes the mutation is inherited from a parent, and sometimes it occurs spontaneously with no family history at all.

Structural epilepsy is slightly different. It happens when part of the brain does not develop properly in the womb, leaving physical abnormalities that make the brain more prone to seizures. It is worth noting that some children do not have their first seizure until they are toddlers, school-age, or even older. 

Can epilepsy develop later in life?

Yes, and many families are surprised to learn this. A child is not always born with epilepsy. It can develop at any point during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. This can happen for several reasons.

Brain injuries are one of the more well-known causes. A serious head injury from a fall, a car accident, or a sports collision can damage the brain in ways that make it more prone to seizures down the line. This is called post-traumatic epilepsy, and seizures may not appear until weeks, months, or even years after the injury. 

Infections that affect the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis, can also lead to epilepsy. Even after the infection is treated, some children are left with lasting changes to brain tissue that increase their seizure risk. Brain tumors and stroke, though less common in children, are other possible causes. 

In some cases, no clear cause can be found, even after thorough testing. This is called idiopathic epilepsy, and while it can be frustrating not to have a definitive answer, it does not prevent Dr. Hasson from treating the condition effectively.

Warning signs to watch for

Seizures do not always look like the dramatic full-body shaking most people imagine. Staring spells are one of the most commonly overlooked signs. If your child repeatedly zones out for several seconds and does not respond to their name or touch, it may be an absence seizure. These can happen dozens of times a day. 

Sudden muscle jerks, especially in the morning shortly after waking, are another warning sign. Unexplained falls in which the body suddenly goes limp or stiff, episodes of confusion, repetitive movements like lip-smacking or hand rubbing, or disorientation without any obvious reason can all point to seizures. If you notice any of these signs recurring in your child, do not wait to seek help. Book an appointment with Dr. Hasson today by messaging us or calling 718-785-9828.