Understanding Seizures in a One-Year-Old
1F. No prior significant health conditions or medications. My child, who recently turned one, began experiencing sporadic episodes where she seemed to completely zone out. During these moments, which lasted approximately ten seconds, she would not respond to her name or interactions. Occasionally, she would remain completely still, while at other times, her right arm would tap against her chest or move in response to touch. Additionally, she exhibits unusual eye movements—such as rolling, tight squinting, and looking to the right—that interrupt her activities without any clear trigger. A thorough examination of her eyes concluded that they are healthy. We sought medical assistance at the emergency room, where the physicians suggested that the episodes might be seizures, referencing video footage we provided. A sleep-deprived EEG was conducted, which returned normal results; however, she did not have any episodes during the test. According to the neurologist, the symptoms do not appear to be seizures, as they noted that at her age, absence seizures are unlikely, combined with the observation that her arm was moving and that she shouldn't exhibit more than one seizure type. There have been instances where her eye movements caused her to lose balance while using a walker. Additionally, she was vocalizing a few words at 8 to 9 months but has since regressed in that area. Nonetheless, she is currently using sign language for some communication and has been mimicking sounds.
Answers (1)
7/10/2025, 11:40:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you have significant concerns about your one-year-old’s episodes and the possibility of seizures. It’s understandable to feel anxious when it comes to the health of your child, particularly with the symptoms you described. Based on the information provided, here's a summary of the situation and some actionable steps.
Key Points:
- Your child's episodes have raised concerns for possible seizures, but the EEG was normal and the neurologist expressed reservations about diagnosing seizures.
- The episodes involve a lack of responsiveness, unusual eye movements, and arm movements.
- Regression in speech development is concerning and should not be overlooked.
Explanation:
The symptoms you described require careful monitoring. Episodes of zoning out or unusual movements can have several explanations, such as:
- Non-epileptic seizures: Events that may look like seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Developmental concerns: Changes in communication abilities may indicate a need for further evaluation.
The normal EEG result is encouraging, as it is one of the key tools to rule out epilepsy. However, the neurologist's observations and your child's developmental changes suggest a multidisciplinary approach may be needed to fully understand her behaviors.
Next Steps:
- Keep a Detailed Diary: Document the episodes, including their frequency, duration, and any triggering factors you may notice. Note her behavior before and after the episodes.
- Evaluate Developmental Milestones: Since there is a regression in vocal communication, consider an evaluation by a pediatric developmental specialist or speech therapist, who can provide strategies to support her communication skills.
- Follow-Up with Neurology: Schedule a follow-up appointment with the neurologist to discuss the recurrent episodes, normal EEG results, and developmental concerns. Share your diary and any updates on her behavior or communication.
- Monitor Behavior: Pay attention to any new symptoms, changes in behavior, or increases in the frequency of these episodes. If you notice signs of distress, persistent issues with balance, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice sooner rather than later.
It's vital to keep open communication with healthcare providers and give them all the information you have gathered to get the best support for your child. You're doing the right thing by being proactive about her health and development. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further information.
Related Questions
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.