Question

What could be the reasons for a newborn to experience seizures during sleep?

Answer

The most common cause of neonatal seizures is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. If there was asphyxia or oxygen deprivation during labor, the newborn may exhibit symptoms such as cyanosis, changes in muscle tone, and an Apgar score below 3 within 1 to 5 minutes after birth, accompanied by seizures. In such cases, immediate active resuscitation of the newborn should be conducted, and they should be transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit. Additionally, conditions such as neonatal hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and intracranial infection can also lead to seizures. Active treatment for the primary disease should be implemented to control convulsions. In rare cases, early onset of seizures may be caused by brain malformations or neonatal hereditary metabolic disorders.