Review ArticleCommon Causes of Uncommon Seizures
Introduction
This review considers several clinical settings that are commonly encountered in pediatric practice, but that present with uncommon central nervous system involvement, and with seizures in particular. These include rotavirus gastroenteritis, respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis, influenza infection, asthma, blood transfusions, and intake of a number drugs, including theophylline, cephalosporins, metronidazole, and acyclovir.
Section snippets
Rotavirus Gastroenteritis-Associated Seizures
Rotavirus infection is a frequent cause of severe gastroenteritis in childhood. Less recognized is the central nervous system involvement in this disease. Associations with seizures, encephalopathy, and even death have been described [1]. The virus itself has been implicated as a cause of afebrile seizures and encephalopathy in the absence of fluid, electrolyte, and metabolic abnormalities. Direct central nervous system infection is believed to be the most probable pathophysiology of seizures
Conclusion
Seizures encountered in the common clinical settings of rotavirus gastroenteritis, respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis, influenza infection, asthma, blood transfusions, and intake of a number of drugs (including theophylline, cephalosporins, metronidazole, and acyclovir) with therapeutic drug levels should be investigated fully for other more plausible causes. These include central nervous system infections with other microorganisms, electrolyte and metabolic disorders, toxic drug levels,
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2011, Pediatric Critical CareSubsequent Afebrile Seizure in Children Who Have a First Seizure With Fever After 6 Years of Age
2010, Pediatric NeurologyCitation Excerpt :Third, it may be a single event associated with the acute phase of a systemic viral illness. Several investigators have reported on the potential role of certain neurotropic viruses (notably, human herpes virus 6 and 7, influenza virus, rotavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus) in the development of febrile seizures [9-11]. More recent investigations, however, indicate that the role of these viruses in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures remains unknown [12,13].
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