Seizures happen when there is a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They are more common in children than in adults. A number of situations and underlying conditions can cause seizures in children, ranging from high fevers and infections to epilepsy, genetic factors, and metabolic imbalances.
Seizures in children can look different depending on the type. Some cause full-body convulsions, rigid limbs, and loss of consciousness, while others are so subtle they may be mistaken for daydreaming or a brief lapse in attention. Getting to the bottom of what’s causing a seizure is crucial, because the cause determines the treatment.
A seizure is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and treating it effectively depends on understanding its triggers. However, to do so requires seeing a specialist. Dr. Henry Hasson is a pediatric neurologist in Brooklyn, New York, with expertise in evaluating your child’s seizures, determining their triggers, and creating a management plan to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Here, he covers the most common triggers of seizures in children and what parents can do to reduce the risk.
An increase in body temperature can result in a febrile seizure, among the most common type of seizure in young children, typically occurring in kids between six months and five years old. The fever usually is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
The seizure itself can be alarming, but in most cases, febrile seizures are brief and don’t cause lasting harm. While a single febrile seizure doesn’t typically require long-term treatment, children who have them are at a slightly higher risk of having another.
If your child has had a febrile seizure, speaking with Dr. Hasson helps clarify the risk of recurrence and whether any further monitoring is needed.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures that occur without a clear external trigger, like a fever. It’s diagnosed when a child has had two or more unprovoked seizures. The seizures associated with epilepsy vary widely.
Some children experience generalized seizures that affect the whole brain and trigger convulsions or sudden loss of muscle tone. Others have focal seizures that start in one part of the brain and may cause unusual sensations, involuntary movements in one part of the body, or a brief period of confusion.
Some epileptic seizures are triggered by genetics; see the section on genetic factors below for more information on this.
Dr. Hasson works closely with families to find the most effective treatment approach with the fewest side effects, adjusting the plan as your child grows and their needs change.
Certain infections can directly affect the brain and trigger seizures in children. Meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain, and encephalitis, inflammation of the brain tissue itself, are both serious conditions that can cause seizures alongside other symptoms like severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. These are medical emergencies and require immediate attention.
Low blood sugar, low sodium, low calcium, and other metabolic disturbances can disrupt normal brain activity and provoke a seizure. These types of seizures are more commonly seen in newborns and very young infants, and they typically resolve once the underlying imbalance is corrected.
Several epilepsy syndromes are caused by specific genetic mutations that affect how the brain’s electrical system functions. Identifying a genetic cause provides important information about the likely course of the condition, the risk to siblings, and whether certain medications will be more or less effective.
While not all seizures can be prevented, parents can take practical steps to reduce the risk. For children with febrile seizures, managing fevers early and consistently is important. For children with epilepsy or other seizure disorders, taking medication exactly as prescribed and not missing doses is the most effective way to keep seizures under control.
Lifestyle factors should also be considered. Ensure your child gets adequate sleep, help manage their stress, and avoid specific triggers like flashing lights or screens, which can provoke seizures in children with photosensitive epilepsy.
Creating a safe environment for a child who has seizures reduces the risk of injury when a seizure occurs. This means taking precautions around water, heights, and other hazards, and making sure caregivers, teachers, and other adults in your child’s life know what to do if a seizure happens.
Seizures in children are scary, but they are also treatable. And in many cases, they can be managed to the point where they have minimal impact on your child’s daily life. Dr. Hasson is the specialist to see if your child has had a seizure. Book a consultation online with him today or call 718-785-9828 and get the clarity your family needs.
