When a newborn exhibits unusual movements, parents often experience concern about the possibility of a seizure. Seizures in newborns can present differently than in older children or adults, making them subtle and sometimes difficult to identify. Familiarizing oneself with these unique signs helps parents recognize potential seizure activity without undue alarm. Understanding these distinctions is a first step toward ensuring a baby receives appropriate care.
Recognizing Newborn Seizure Activity
Newborn seizures can manifest in various ways, often appearing as subtle changes in behavior rather than dramatic convulsions.
Subtle Seizures
Subtle seizures may involve eye movements such as roving, blinking, fluttering, staring, or eyes rolling upwards. Oral movements like sucking, smacking, chewing, or tongue protrusion can also indicate subtle seizures. Additionally, repetitive limb movements like bicycling, pedaling, thrashing, or swimming motions are potential signs.
Clonic Seizures
Clonic seizures are characterized by rhythmic jerking movements affecting the face, tongue, arms, or legs. These movements are sustained and cannot be stopped by gentle restraint or repositioning.
Tonic Seizures
Tonic seizures involve sustained stiffening or tightening of muscles, occurring in one specific area or throughout the body. During a tonic seizure, a baby might turn their head or eyes to one side, or hold their arms or legs in an unusual, stiff position. They often occur during sleep and typically last under 20 seconds.
Myoclonic Seizures
Myoclonic seizures are marked by quick, single, shock-like jerking motions involving a finger, a limb, or the whole body. These jerks are brief and may occur in clusters.
Distinguishing Seizures from Normal Newborn Movements
Many normal newborn behaviors can be mistaken for seizure activity, causing concern for parents. Behaviors like chewing or bicycling movements can also appear in healthy newborns.
Non-seizure movements include the startle (Moro) reflex, where a baby suddenly throws out and pulls back their arms and legs in response to loud noise or sudden movement. Benign sleep myoclonus, characterized by jerks during sleep, resembles myoclonic seizures but typically resolves on its own.
Newborns may also exhibit jitters or tremors, which are rapid, oscillating movements. These movements are often triggered by external stimuli such as touch or loud noises. Jitters or tremors can typically be stopped or significantly reduced by gently holding or repositioning the baby’s limb. Seizure movements, in contrast, generally cannot be suppressed by physical restraint.
A baby exhibiting normal jitters tends to remain alert during the movements, while an infant experiencing a seizure may appear less responsive or have a vacant stare. Observing whether the movement is continuous and rhythmic, or if it can be interrupted, helps differentiate between a benign occurrence and a potential seizure. Understanding these distinctions helps parents avoid unnecessary alarm while remaining vigilant for true seizure signs.
Immediate Actions When a Seizure is Suspected
If you suspect your newborn is having a seizure, remaining calm is important. During the event, gently place your baby on their side on a safe, flat surface, such as the floor or a crib, to prevent injury. Ensure the area around them is clear of any objects that could pose a hazard.
Accurately time the suspected seizure’s duration and observe specific details. Note exact movements, body parts involved, and any changes in eye movements, breathing patterns, or skin color. Avoid attempting to stop movements forcefully or placing anything in your baby’s mouth.
After the event, continue observing your baby for changes in behavior or responsiveness. Seek immediate medical attention by contacting your doctor, a nurse advice line, or emergency services. Call 911 or your local emergency number if the suspected seizure lasts longer than five minutes, if your baby has difficulty breathing, or if their skin color changes.
Why Medical Evaluation is Crucial
Prompt medical evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary whenever a newborn is suspected of having a seizure. Newborn seizures can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires immediate attention. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose whether an event was a seizure and determine its specific cause.
The clinical signs of newborn seizures can be subtle and mimic normal infant movements, making professional assessment and specialized testing important for accurate diagnosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important for protecting the newborn’s developing brain. Undiagnosed seizure activity can potentially impact a child’s long-term development.