- Convulsive disorders involve involuntary muscle spasms or jerking that can cause loss of consciousness. They include epilepsy, where seizures are recurrent and unprovoked. Status epilepticus refers to prolonged or repeated seizures.
- Risk factors for seizures in infants and children include age under 1 year, fever, infections, preterm birth, and family history of seizures or epilepsy. Causes may be non-recurrent like fever or infections, or recurrent like genetic factors, injuries, or metabolic disorders.
- Diagnosis involves history, exam, blood tests, imaging, and EEG to evaluate for underlying conditions and rule out other causes. Treatment focuses on controlling seizures, addressing the underlying cause, and preventing complications and recurrence.