8 Questions
What is the definition of convulsions?
Paroxysmal involuntary brain dysfunction with impaired consciousness
What is the most common cause of acute seizures in infant and children?
Fever
What is the age range for febrile convulsions?
From 9 months- 5 years
What is the percentage of positive family history in febrile convulsions?
20%
What is the description of typical febrile convulsions?
Generalized tonic clonic and brief
What is the investigation used to diagnose encephalopathy?
LFT and KFT
What is the investigation used to diagnose intracranial infection?
Blood, urine and CSF C&S
What is the prognosis of febrile convulsions?
Excellent prognosis
Study Notes
Convulsions
- Definition: Paroxysmal involuntary brain dysfunction that manifests as impaired consciousness, abnormal motor activity, behavioral abnormalities, sensory or autonomic dysfunction.
Causes of Acute Seizures in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Intracranial infections
- Encephalopathy (post-immunization)
- Metabolic and electrolyte disturbances
- Intoxications:
- Endogenous (uremia or hepatic encephalopathy)
- Exogenous (acute lead poisoning, drugs like theophylline, isoniazid)
- Head trauma (ICH, subdural Hge)
- Non-traumatic ICH (due to AV malformation and bleeding disorders)
- Hypertensive encephalopathy
- Cerebral ischemia:
- Arterial spasm, thrombosis, or embolism
- Venous thrombosis
- Circulatory collapse
- Brain anoxia
Diagnosis
- Arterial blood gases and electrolytes, LFT, KFT
- CSF examination
- Blood, urine, and CSF culture and sensitivity
- Tuberculin test
- Blood picture
- Coagulation profile
- Skull X-ray and CT scan (AVM, craniostenosis)
- Toxin screen in urine and serum
Febrile Convulsions
- Very common convulsive disorder during childhood with excellent prognosis
- Meticulous examination necessary to exclude serious underlying infectious disease
- Age range: 9 months to 5 years (peak: 14-18 months)
- Positive family history in 20%
- Convulsions start at the onset of rapid rise in body temperature
- Typical febrile convulsions are:
- Generalized tonic clonic
- Brief
This quiz covers the causes and characteristics of convulsions in infants and children, including fever, intracranial infections, encephalopathy, and metabolic disturbances. Test your knowledge of pediatric neurology!
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