Neonatal seizures: advances in mechanisms and management

Clin Perinatol. 2014 Mar;41(1):177-90. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2013.10.004. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Abstract

Seizures occur in approximately 1 to 5 per 1000 live births and are among the most common neurologic conditions managed by a neonatal neurocritical care service. There are several, age-specific factors that are particular to the developing brain, which influence excitability and seizure generation, response to medications, and impact of seizures on brain structure and function. Neonatal seizures are often associated with serious underlying brain injury such as hypoxia-ischemia, stroke, or hemorrhage. Conventional, prolonged, continuous video electroencephalogram is the gold standard for detecting seizures, whereas amplitude-integrated EEG is a convenient and useful bedside tool.

Keywords: Brain injury; Developmental disability; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy; Infant, newborn; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neurocritical care; Seizures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / complications
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / diagnosis
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Stroke / complications
  • Stroke / diagnosis

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants