What Parents Should Know About Pediatric Seizures: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

As a parent, seeing your child experience a seizure can be frightening and confusing. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for pediatric seizures can help you feel more prepared and confident in seeking care. At the Neurology Center For Epilepsy & Seizures (NCES) in New Jersey, our team of experienced pediatric neurologists and epileptologists is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to help your child thrive.

What Causes Pediatric Seizures?

Pediatric seizures occur when there is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. These seizures can have many causes, including:

• Genetic factors affecting brain development
• Fevers (febrile seizures) in young children
• Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
• Head injuries or trauma
• Metabolic imbalances such as low blood sugar or electrolyte disturbances
• Neurological conditions including pediatric epilepsy

While not all seizures indicate epilepsy, repeated unprovoked seizures may require evaluation and ongoing epilepsy treatment from a pediatric neurologist in NJ.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pediatric Seizures

Seizures in children can vary greatly in appearance. Some signs that your child may be experiencing a seizure include:

• Sudden staring spells or brief unresponsiveness
• Uncontrollable jerking or twitching of the arms and legs
• Loss of consciousness or awareness
• Stiffening of the body
• Confusion or disorientation after an episode
• Sudden falls without warning
• Unusual behaviors like lip-smacking, repetitive movements, or wandering

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, it is important to seek prompt medical evaluation with a pediatric neurologist to determine the underlying cause.

How Are Pediatric Seizures Diagnosed?

At NCES, we use advanced diagnostic tools, including Video EEG technology, to monitor your child’s brain activity and capture seizure events for accurate diagnosis. Our neurologists and epileptologists will conduct a thorough assessment, including:

• Medical history review
• Neurological examination
• Blood tests to check metabolic factors
• MRI or CT scans if structural abnormalities are suspected
• EEG to evaluate electrical activity in the brain

This comprehensive evaluation helps us identify whether your child has pediatric epilepsy and determine the type of seizures, which is critical for creating an effective treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Pediatric Seizures

Epilepsy treatment in children is highly individualized. Treatment options may include:

• Anti-seizure medications to help control seizure activity
• Dietary therapies, such as the ketogenic diet, for certain types of epilepsy
• Lifestyle modifications to manage triggers like sleep deprivation or stress
• Advanced therapies for medication-resistant epilepsy, including VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) and consideration for surgical options in select cases

At Neurology Center For Epilepsy & Seizures, we focus on providing empathetic care while using advanced treatment approaches to minimize side effects and improve your child’s quality of life.

Why Choose NCES for Pediatric Seizure Care?

Dr. Amor Mehta and our team are committed to thinking outside the box to find solutions for children with pediatric epilepsy. As one of the first board-certified epileptologists in New Jersey, Dr. Mehta combines expertise with compassion, helping families navigate the complexities of epilepsy and seizures with confidence and support.

We believe in empowering parents with knowledge while ensuring children feel comfortable during care. Our goal is to help your child live confidently while managing their condition effectively.

FAQs

Q – When should I see a pediatric neurologist for my child’s seizures?
A – If your child has experienced unexplained seizures, sudden staring episodes, or unusual movements, it is important to consult a pediatric neurologist for evaluation and treatment.

Q – Can my child outgrow seizures?
A – Some children may outgrow certain types of seizures, especially febrile seizures, while others may require ongoing treatment for epilepsy. Early diagnosis and management improve outcomes.

Q – Is pediatric epilepsy treatable?
A – Yes, many forms of pediatric epilepsy can be managed effectively with medications and advanced therapies, allowing your child to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.