Febrile seizures are relatively common in children younger than five years old. Febrile seizures can occur when a child develops a high fever, usually with the temperature rising rapidly to 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more. While terrifying to parents, these seizures are usually brief and rarely cause any problems, unless the fever is associated with a serious infection, such as meningitis. A child who has a febrile seizure is not more likely to develop epilepsy.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Primidone
Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. Symptoms may vary depending on the part of the brain that is stimulated, but seizures may be associated with unusual sensations, uncontrollable muscle spasms and loss of consciousness. Some seizures may be the result of a medical problem. Low blood sugar, infection, a head injury, accidental poisoning, or drug overdose may cause a seizure. A seizure may also be due to a brain tumor or other neurological abnormality. In addition, anything that results in a sudden lack of oxygen to the brain can cause a seizure. In some cases, the cause of the seizure may not be discovered. When seizures recur, it may indicate the chronic condition known as epilepsy.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Midazolam
Infantile spasm (IS) is a specific type of seizure seen in an epilepsy syndrome of infancy and early childhood known as West Syndrome. The onset is predominantly in the first year of life, typically between three to six months. The typical pattern of infantile spasm is a sudden bending forward and stiffening of the body, arms, and legs, although there can also be arching of the torso. Spasms tend to begin soon after arousal from sleep. Individual spasms typically last for one to five seconds and occur in clusters, ranging from two to 100 spasms at a time. Infants may have dozens of clusters and several hundred spasms per day. Infantile spasms usually stop by age five, but are often replaced by other seizure types. West Syndrome is characterized by infantile spasms, hypsarrhythmia (abnormal, chaotic brain wave patterns) and mental retardation. Other neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, may be seen in 30–50% of those with West Syndrome.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: None
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Clonazepam, Corticotropin, Lamotrigine, Topiramate, Prednisone
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