Pediatric Seizure Disorders: Recognizing the Different Types
- posted: Apr. 09, 2025
Understanding Pediatric Seizure Disorders: Types, Causes, and Care
Seizures can be frightening, especially when you witness your child experiencing one. Understanding the type of seizure is key to providing the right care. Identifying the specific kind helps guide personalized treatment and better management moving forward. Dr. John Millichap at Precision Epilepsy in Chicago, IL, is a pediatric neurologist and epileptologist who offers convenient telehealth appointments and consultations to treat a wide range of epilepsy disorders, including seizures.
What You Should Know About Seizures
A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that temporarily interferes with its normal function. Depending on the type and severity, a seizure can cause symptoms like jerking movements, confusion, staring spells, altered awareness, or even a brief loss of consciousness.
Seizures are divided into different categories based on characteristics and the brain region in which they occur. These include:
Focal Onset Seizures
These involve abnormal electrical activity in one or more areas on one side of the brain. Your child may be fully aware or experience an altered state of awareness during the episode. Typical signs include:
Aura or warning that a seizure is about to occur
Changes in vision, hearing, or sense of smell
Generalized Onset Seizures
These affect both sides of the brain and include absence (petit mal) seizures, atonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, and epileptic spasms. Common signs may include:
Transient loss of consciousness
Staring spells or frequent blinking
Facial or oral twitching
Sudden loss of muscle tone
Head dropping or limb stiffening
Muscle contractions or shaking
Post-seizure fatigue or aches
Unknown Onset Seizures
These are seizures of uncertain origin, often occurring during sleep or when unwitnessed. When onset details are unclear, diagnosis can be more complex.
What Causes Seizures?
Epilepsy is one of the most common causes of seizures, but there are other contributing factors, including:
Neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain
Brain tumors
Brain damage from illness or injury
Diagnostic tools such as CT scans and EEGs are often used to determine the type and origin of the seizure. In more severe cases, Dr. Millichap may recommend anti-seizure medications, nerve stimulation therapies, or surgery.
Want to Know More?
To better understand seizure types and explore treatment options, schedule a consultation with Dr. John Millichap at Precision Epilepsy in Chicago, IL. Telehealth services are available in multiple states for your convenience. Call (833) 530-3034 today or visit our States Served page to check availability in your area.
- posted: Apr. 09, 2025
Understanding Pediatric Seizure Disorders: Types, Causes, and Care
Seizures can be frightening, especially when you witness your child experiencing one. Understanding the type of seizure is key to providing the right care. Identifying the specific kind helps guide personalized treatment and better management moving forward. Dr. John Millichap at Precision Epilepsy in Chicago, IL, is a pediatric neurologist and epileptologist who offers convenient telehealth appointments and consultations to treat a wide range of epilepsy disorders, including seizures.
What You Should Know About Seizures
A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that temporarily interferes with its normal function. Depending on the type and severity, a seizure can cause symptoms like jerking movements, confusion, staring spells, altered awareness, or even a brief loss of consciousness.
Seizures are divided into different categories based on characteristics and the brain region in which they occur. These include:
Focal Onset Seizures
These involve abnormal electrical activity in one or more areas on one side of the brain. Your child may be fully aware or experience an altered state of awareness during the episode. Typical signs include:
Aura or warning that a seizure is about to occur
Changes in vision, hearing, or sense of smell
Generalized Onset Seizures
These affect both sides of the brain and include absence (petit mal) seizures, atonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, and epileptic spasms. Common signs may include:
Transient loss of consciousness
Staring spells or frequent blinking
Facial or oral twitching
Sudden loss of muscle tone
Head dropping or limb stiffening
Muscle contractions or shaking
Post-seizure fatigue or aches
Unknown Onset Seizures
These are seizures of uncertain origin, often occurring during sleep or when unwitnessed. When onset details are unclear, diagnosis can be more complex.
What Causes Seizures?
Epilepsy is one of the most common causes of seizures, but there are other contributing factors, including:
Neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain
Brain tumors
Brain damage from illness or injury
Diagnostic tools such as CT scans and EEGs are often used to determine the type and origin of the seizure. In more severe cases, Dr. Millichap may recommend anti-seizure medications, nerve stimulation therapies, or surgery.
Want to Know More?
To better understand seizure types and explore treatment options, schedule a consultation with Dr. John Millichap at Precision Epilepsy in Chicago, IL. Telehealth services are available in multiple states for your convenience. Call (833) 530-3034 today or visit our States Served page to check availability in your area.
