Learning About the Signs of Seizures in Newborns
What is a seizure?
Seizures are the body's response to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Some babies may have them in the weeks after birth. A newborn may have a seizure for a few reasons. A lack of oxygen in the baby's brain is a common reason. So is an infection.
What are the signs?
Events that are not seizures are common. But some signs of a seizure can look like normal movements in a newborn. If a movement is repeated or goes on for several minutes, it may be a sign of a seizure.
Your doctor may use a test to make sure your baby is having seizures. This test may be an electroencephalography (EEG). Or the test may be an amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG).
Signs of a seizure in a newborn last for 15 seconds or longer and include:
- Muscles jerking in a rhythmic way that doesn't stop when the arm or leg is held.
- Muscles stiffening for a few seconds or minutes.
- Head turned to the side.
- Eyes turning to one side or rolling up.
- Eyelids blinking or fluttering.
- Staring.
- Mouth movements. These may include sucking, smacking, chewing, and the tongue sticking out.
- Unusual body movements. These movements may look like rowing, swimming, pedalling, thrashing, or struggling.
- Pauses in breathing.
If you think your baby may be having a seizure, call your doctor or nurse advice line right away. Call 911 or other emergency services if your baby also has a fever, movements that last for 10 minutes or more, or a change in their colour or breathing.
Adaptation Date: 10/6/2023
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services