Focal Seizure in Newborn Baby

This is an example of a focal seizure in a 2-day-old infant. Notice that it affects only the left side of the body, and that the baby is breathing well, experiences no discoloration, loss of consciousness or apparent discomfort. We video taped it to show the ER doctors so that they would know she wasn't just having normal baby neurological weirdness.

This particular seizure lasted about 2 minutes. This is one of three she had that day and is mild in comparison the the third one that we did not catch one tape. She has not had any definitive seizures since, but has had some "suspicious" activity.

See comments for updates on her condition.

For those unfamiliar with seizures, you cannot stop them, you can only gently hold the person suffering the convulsion and take care that they do not hurt themselves.

We hope this video will help others know what this type of seizure looks like.

Our local children's hospital uses it to train their staff.

To see how Violet is doing at 6 months, see our other video. She is doing great!

Update: At 10 months old (January of 2008), Violet is doing very well. She has had no other seizures since the ones she had her first few days of life. She is coming off of her medication. Most likely she will never have another seizure. Developmentally she is right on track and even getting ready to walk a little early!

Update: At a year and a half (October of 2008) Violet is indeed walking, talking, singing, dancing, jumping and making her older sibling generally crazy. She is a healthy, smart, snuggly girl and we feel very lucky every day.

Update: At 3 and a half years old (September 2010) , Violet is developing normally. She is bright, happy, verbal and coordinated. She is also very affectionate. Again, we are so lucky to have gotten to this point.

Thank you for your well wishes!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• focal
• seizure
• infant
• baby
• convulsion

[Manky118]

sorry continued from below! ....I remembered looking at your post when our son was in and it gave me inspiration and hope that our little boy would be well. He had an MRI and we were told he had a lot of permanent damage to his left & right frontal lobes, obviously we were devasted & expected the worst. He is now 19 months old and is doing perfect. He's been off his meds since he was 6mnths and is developing 'normally'! We feel SOOO lucky to have our fantastic little boy :) Thanks again. x

[babyseizure]

@Manky118 Thank you for your kind comments. This is exactly the reason we posted this. I just remember being on the phone and trying to get someone to understand what we were seeing. How complicated it was when they couldn't see it for themselves. So when she started the second seizure I told my husband to get the camera. I am so glad you little one is doing well too. Having this posted and getting responses about it has reaffirmed how lucky we really are to have her healthy.

[vikassharda]

@babysiezure. Thanks for the information and concern. My baby too had oxygen deprivation in her brain at the time of her birth and had seizure attacks. But now she is 2.5 months old and out of baby ICU for last 2 months. All her functions are normal. Her treatment is on here in India. So far she had no seizure attacks since her last two attacks. I am hoping she will lead a healthy life without any problem of any sort in the future. Is this case similar to yours?

[babyseizure]

@vikassharda - Yes, that sounds very similar. She is now 3 and very healthy. She has no developmental, learning issues. She is a smart little girl.

[vikassharda]

I have a 8 days old baby girl. She so far had two seizure attacks(confirmed by Doctors). She is still in the baby ICU ward of the hospital in India.I am little tensed as docs are pointing at meningitis or other neuro diseases. What can probably go wrong wid her? Does nebdy has any clue over here?

[babyseizure]

@vikassharda - In our case, there was a traceable oxygen deprivation issue with the right frontal lobe of her brain close to the time she was born. That part of the brain is the last to develop and so, in our case, she has been able to create a healthy pathway around the fault in the brain and no longer has seizures.

[feby1016]

I have a14 month old baby boy. he had seizure attactks since a three days he born. and until now 14 month. and in that time ilham spend his time only from hosspital to hospital. now he stayed in hospital RSCM in indonesia . and the medicine he used is midazolam.

I really thank you for the best dr. irawan mangunatmadja. specialis in pediatrics of neoron

[CodyRawlukTV]

okay first I just wanted to say you have the MOST ADORABLE BABY EVER! But that was so said to see the discomfort on her face :(

[nellydionne]

What a cute Baby!! She looks like her mom,.. Glad she's doing well

[Gaaraissomineforever]

she looks like she's just twitching

[InnannasRainbow]

Babies have a great ability to override damaged brain tissue and build neurons around it.Sadly, there are some times when that is not possible.

I am glad yours got better.

[jgroven7]

wow, this is exactly what my son was doing but he only has them while sleeping. then he wakes up screaming and his left side doesn't do anything for about 10 to 15 minutes. he's on meds now and has been doing a lot better. check him out on my channel. thanks for posting this vid

[SongwriterToInspire]

Hi, I just put a video on with song I wrote for a little Girl (a family friend's baby) who was born premature. I would like to share it with you. It's called "Blood of My Blood".

[taniamalhotra1]

@vikassharda  for how long duration ur baby had problem of seizure? kindly reply me

[tahirarab1]

@babyseizure.I have same kind of seizure in my baby boy. He is now 45 days old. when he was 8 days old, had the 1st seizure. His all the medical tests are clear. but again seizure has been started. some time it prolongs for 20 min and some time for 10 minutes. Any body knows what i should do. Dr suggested epival syrup. Any clue or suggestion please?

[Kyapplepie]

Recently my 6 months old was diagnosed with focal seizures . . . . . She forgot how to hold her bottle . . . She forgot to even breathe when she is drinking her formula . . . I feel so bad for her . . . . Praying she grows out of it!