OnlineMedEd: Pediatrics - "Seizures"

Question 1

The pathology of seizures is _______________.

Answer 1

synchronous firing of the awake brain

Question 2

What two ways are seizures often categorized?

Answer 2

• LOC: complex = LOC; simple = no LOC

* Degree of body involvement: generalized = whole body; partial = part of body

Question 3

Go through what makes a febrile seizure simple or complex (not simple/complex based on LOC).

Answer 3

• Simple febrile seizure: only one per 24 hrs; generalized; less than 15 minutes
• Complex: more than one per 24 hrs; focal; longer than 15 minutes

Question 4

True or false: controlling temperature can usually prevent future febrile seizures.

Answer 4

False.

It’s recommended to give acetaminophen, but only for pain/symptom control.

Question 5

How should you workup complex febrile seizures?

Answer 5

• EEG
• LP
• MRI

Pending the results of those, they may need AEDs.

Question 6

What are infantile spasms?

Answer 6

• Bilateral, symmetric movements of the limbs
• Interictal EEG shows hypsarrhythmia
• Can be seen in West syndrome or tuberous sclerosis

Question 7

Treat infantile spasms with ____________.

Answer 7

ACTH

Question 8

Infantile spasms can be a sign of _______________.

Answer 8

tuberous sclerosis