Seizures in children 1-3 years

Seizures in children 1-3 years: Types and causes

Seizures are a manifestation of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, externally presenting as uncontrolled movements, changes in consciousness, or behavior. In children aged 1-3 years the most common type is febrile seizures, triggered by high temperature. However, other types of seizures can occur without fever (afebrile seizures) and require careful diagnosis by a neurologist.

Types of seizures in toddlers

Seizures can look very different; they are not always a dramatic picture of whole‑body convulsions.

• Generalized tonic‑clonic seizures: Classic attack where the child loses consciousness, the body becomes stiff (tonic phase), followed by rhythmic limb jerks (clonic phase).
• Absences (“blanking”): Short episodes when the child suddenly “switches off” for a few seconds, gaze becomes vacant, and they do not respond to prompts. After the episode they continue what they were doing, not remembering it.
• Focal seizures: Seizure activity involves only one part of the body, e.g., only one arm or one side of the face jerks. Consciousness may be preserved.
• Atonic seizures (“drop attacks”): The child suddenly loses muscle tone and falls.

Causes of afebrile seizures

If seizures occur without fever, they may indicate epilepsy or other conditions:

• Epilepsy: Chronic brain disorder characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizure attacks. There are many forms of childhood epilepsy.
• Structural brain anomalies.
• Consequences of head injury or prior neuroinfection.
• Metabolic disturbances.

Any seizure episode, especially the first, is a reason to call emergency services and arrange further examination by a pediatric neurologist. It is important to distinguish seizures from fainting and affective‑respiratory attacks.