D. Robek
Klinični oddelek za neonatologijo, Pediatrična Klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

A. Soltirovska Šalamon
Klinični oddelek za neonatologijo, Pediatrična Klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Neonatal seizures are the most common sign of neurological dysfunction in the first weeks of life. They are mostly symptomatic and occur with the transient or permanent disturbances in central nervous system functioning due to various aetiological factors. The clinical picture is different from that in older children or adults. Depending on the aetiological and some other risk factors, neonatal convulsions are associated with the development of irreversible neurological consequences, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and postneonatal epilepsy. The identification of prognostic factors is important for the assessment of the neonate’s risk of neurodevelopmental impairment after neonatal seizures and for facilitating earlier recognition and treatment of possible developmental disorders. This article describes the aetiological, clinical and therapeutic features of neonatal convulsions, with emphasis on the outcome.

Key words: neonatal convulsions, newborn infant, risk factors, outcome.