This condition causes a considerable anxiety state for the parents, but in many cases, this is not of any serious significance in adult life. Fever, worm infestation, and teething are some of the common causes of convulsions, but after 2 years of age one should always think of epilepsy in every case of convulsion as a cause.
Etiology / Causation / Trigger spasms
Within the first six months after birth
- The birth injury is commonly from forceps delivery
- Congenital hydrocephalus
- Infantile hydrocephalus
- Congenital inherited syphilis
- Asphyxia neonatorum
- Neonatal infections
- Kernicterus
- Sturge-weber's syndrome
Within six months to one and half years after birth
- Acute infections such as acute tonsillitis, acute suppurative otitis media, etc.
- Cerebral causes: meningitis, encephalitis, cerebral tumor, cerebral abscess, etc.
- Breath-holding attack, cyanotic spasms of Fallot's tetralogy.
- Infections diseases: Measles, German measles, whooping cough, bronchopneumonia, tetanus.
- Metabolic diseases: Hypoglycemia, uremia, alkalosis, etc.
- Deficiency diseases: Pyridoxine deficiency, Rickets.
- Drugs: Lead, camphor, strychnine.
- Congenital defects: Renal tubular disease etc.
- Hypertension due to coarctation of the aorta.
- Gastrointestinal causes: Gastroenteritis, constipation, worm infestations.
After the age of 2-3 years
- All causes as above
- Epilepsy
Diagnosis
Diagnosis and find out the causes are the most important in this condition. Proper diagnosis and history make your child free from the disease. So parents are alert, if any symptom by age finds out, should immediately consult a doctor.
General history is most important
- Age
- Recurrence
- Birth injury
- Family immunizations
- Head injury
- Poisoning or toxin exposure
- Relation of meals
- History of past encephalopathy
- History of another systemic disease
- Examination
- Loss of consciousness
- Unilateral attacks
- Fever
- Blood pressure
- Fontanelle
- Breathing
- Facial symmetry
- Ophthalmological examination
Investigation
Blood chemistry
Urine to exclude renal factors
Lumbar puncture to diagnose meningitis and encephalitis
X-ray: Long bones, skull
EEG
CT scan, MRI scan
Treatment / First Aids
General treatment keeps the baby in a calm and quiet room in a railed cot. Turn the face to one side, keep the airway patent. Put a mouth gag in between the jaws to prevent tongue bite. High temperature is the most common cause, keep the temperature low, apply ice cold water on the head till the temperature comes down.
What is the difference between infantile spasms and seizures?
Spasms and seizures are the same terms. But in the case of an infant, the above is said in an article by age. Other things spasms may appear in tetanus also. Seizures can behave as another cause along with tetanus.
Can infantile convulsion be cured?
Yes!, if parents inform the doctor once they see in the child the unnatural physical activities which are also said above, can cure very quickly in some patients.
Homeopathic medicines
One of the great medicine is Belladonna 6, Epileptic spasms followed by nausea and vomiting along with fever.
Cicuta virosa 6 is another good medicine specific for epileptic convulsions following a concussion of the brain with the child becoming lethargic a day prior to the attack.
Cuprum met 6 is great medicine for the acute phase for tonic and clonic spasms, epileptic convulsions.
Chamomilla 6 is the medicine in the dentition period, some infants suffer from convulsions during the teething period, this medicine is a boon for them.
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