Challenges in differential diagnosis of seizures in children

Overview

Komárek V. Challenges in differential diagnosis of seizures in children

Epileptic seizures are the most common urgent events in childhood, particularly during the first year of life. less than 1% of children suffer from chronic epilepsy, 1% experience a single epileptic seizure, 4% have febrile seizures, and approximately 2% of children exhibit various forms of convulsions or consciousness disorders resembling or mimicking epileptic seizures. pediatricians are usually the first to encounter a seizure and must decide on further steps based on the presumed diagnosis. since access to pediatric neurologists is not always available, a basic understanding of the semiology of epileptic seizures and syndromes can be beneficial for pediatricians. the following brief case studies aim to highlight potential differential diagnostic challenges of seizures and age-related syndromes at various developmental stages.

Keywords:

seizures – epileptic encephalopathy – benign epileptic syndromes – non-epileptic seizures