Friday, November 27, 2009

Cluster Seizures In Children

Seizures can result in children staring off into space


Custer seizures in children can be scary, but they can be treated in a number of ways. Since each child's situation is different, each should be handled with different medications or other methods prescribed by a professional.


Definition


Cluster seizures are a series of seizures that occur in quick succession, one right after the other.


Causes


Epilepsy is usually the cause behind cluster seizures in children, although they can also be indicative of learning or developmental delays or cerebral palsy.


Features


Cluster seizures are commonly of the myoclonic type, which result in fast, jerky movements and spasms in various muscle groups that may cause the child to fall or throw whatever he may be holding. Other cluster seizures may result in overall confusion or staring off into space.


Treatment


A number of medications or therapies can be prescribed, based on factors specific to each child. Some medications may be taken continuously while others may be injected or administered to stop a series of seizures as they begin to occur.


Warning








If a child loses consciousness or does not get through a cluster seizure episode as she normally does, the child should be immediately taken by ambulance to the hospital. Make sure to move any harmful objects away from the child during an episode.

Tags: Cluster seizures, each child, into space, seizures children, series seizures, staring into, staring into space