30 Apr, 2026

What to Know About Seizures in Babies

What to Know About Seizures in Babies

Seeing a baby suddenly stiffen, jerk, stare blankly, or stop responding can be extremely frightening for parents. While some seizures are brief and treatable, any suspected seizure in a baby should be taken seriously and evaluated by a medical professional.

The good news is that many babies recover well after seizures, especially when the underlying cause is identified and treated quickly.

How Common Are Seizures in Babies?

Seizures can happen at any age, but newborns and infants are at higher risk because the brain is still rapidly developing.

Neonatal Seizures

Seizures during the first weeks of life are called neonatal seizures and occur in approximately:

• 1 to 3 per 1,000 full-term births

The risk is higher in premature babies.

Febrile Seizures

Febrile seizures are triggered by fever and are the most common type of seizure in young children.

They usually occur:

• Between 6 months and 5 years of age

Most febrile seizures do not lead to epilepsy.

Signs and Symptoms of Seizures in Babies

Not all seizures involve dramatic shaking. In babies, seizure symptoms can sometimes be subtle and easy to miss.

Common seizure signs include:

• Rhythmic jerking movements
• Sudden stiffening of the body
• Staring spells or unresponsiveness
• Eye rolling or unusual eye movements
• Lip smacking or chewing motions
• Breathing pauses
• Pale or blue skin color
• Sudden limpness
• Repeated body spasms

What Are Infantile Spasms?

Infantile spasms are a specific and serious seizure type that often appears between:

• 2 and 12 months of age

These spasms may look like:

• Sudden head drops
• Body crunching
• Brief stiffening episodes
• Clusters of repeated movements

Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important for infantile spasms.

What to Do If Your Baby Has a Seizure

If you suspect your baby is having a seizure:

Stay Calm and Focus on Safety

• Place your baby on a safe flat surface
• Turn them gently onto their side
• Remove nearby objects
• Do not restrain movements
• Do not place anything in their mouth

Time the Seizure

Use a clock or phone timer to note how long it lasts.

Record a Video If Possible

A short video can help doctors identify the seizure type more accurately.

When to Call Emergency Services

Call emergency medical services immediately if:

• It is your baby’s first seizure
• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• Your baby has trouble breathing
• Skin turns blue
• Multiple seizures occur back-to-back
• Your baby does not wake afterward
• An injury occurs during the seizure

Even brief seizures should be discussed with your pediatrician.

What Causes Seizures in Babies?

Seizures are usually a symptom of an underlying issue rather than a disease itself.

Common causes include:

Fever (Febrile Seizures)

Often linked to viral infections.

Infections

Including:

• Meningitis
• Encephalitis

Birth-Related Brain Injury

Reduced oxygen or blood flow around birth may contribute.

Metabolic Problems

Such as:

• Low blood sugar
• Electrolyte imbalances

Genetic Conditions

Some epilepsy syndromes begin during infancy.

Infantile Spasms

A specific epilepsy syndrome requiring urgent treatment.

Can Vaccines Cause Seizures?

Some vaccines may very slightly increase the risk of febrile seizures, but the risk remains very low. Pediatric experts and public health organizations continue to strongly recommend routine childhood vaccination.

How Are Baby Seizures Diagnosed?

Doctors may use several tests to determine the cause.

Possible evaluations include:

• EEG (brain wave testing)
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• MRI or brain imaging
• Spinal tap if infection is suspected

Doctors will also ask detailed questions about:

• What the seizure looked like
• Duration
• Fever or illness
• Breathing and color changes
• Recovery afterward

Treatment for Seizures in Babies

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Treatments may include:

• Correcting blood sugar or electrolyte problems
• Treating infections
• Anti-seizure medications
• Specialized therapies for infantile spasms

Some babies may require hospital monitoring, especially newborns.

Long-Term Outlook

Many babies recover fully after a seizure, especially when the cause is temporary or treatable. Some children may require ongoing monitoring with pediatric neurology specialists.

Parents may receive:

• A seizure action plan
• Follow-up appointments
• Guidance for future episodes

Final Thoughts

While seizures in babies can be extremely scary, many causes are treatable and manageable. Quick medical evaluation, proper diagnosis, and early treatment can greatly improve outcomes.

At GGRC International, we believe parents deserve trusted medical guidance and compassionate support when caring for their child’s health and development.