Newborn seizures: what every parent should know

Seizures in newborns are different from those in older children or adults — they are often subtle and harder to identify, but their effects can be significant. This guide explains the basics: what they are, what can cause them, and what to do if you suspect your baby is having a seizure.

What are newborn seizures?

Newborn (neonatal) seizures are episodes of abnormal electrical brain activity, typically in the first 30 days of life. Because they can look different from seizures later in childhood, they can be difficult to recognise. Early recognition matters, as untreated seizures may affect development.

They occur in roughly 1 in 1,000 live births. Premature babies — especially those born before 37 weeks — are at higher risk, because the brain is still developing.

Common causes

• Metabolic imbalances (e.g. glucose or calcium)
• Structural brain differences or bleeding
• Infections such as meningitis
• Withdrawal from certain medications taken in pregnancy
• Lack of oxygen or injury around the time of birth

Signs to watch for

• Jerking movements of the arms or legs
• Stiffening of the limbs or body
• Sudden, brief muscle jerks
• Repetitive facial movements such as lip-smacking or blinking
• Unusual eye movements or staring episodes

These can resemble normal newborn behaviours such as trembling or the startle reflex, which is exactly why they are easy to miss. Diagnosis usually involves specific tests — an EEG to measure brain activity, MRI or imaging to look at brain structure, and blood and sometimes genetic tests to find an underlying cause.