Seizure in newborns: treatment and next steps

A newborn seizure may appear as repeated jerking, stiffening, unusual eye movements, chewing motions, pauses in movement, or changes in breathing. Some movements that resemble seizures are not caused by abnormal brain activity, so clinicians may observe the baby and use brain-wave monitoring to clarify what is happening.

The team may check glucose, salts, oxygen, infection markers, and other factors. Low blood glucose can trigger seizures, while meningitis is one serious infection doctors may need to exclude. Treatment depends on the cause and may include correcting glucose or salts, treating infection, supporting breathing, or giving an anti-seizure medicine.

Treat any suspected seizure in a newborn as urgent. Place the baby safely on a firm surface, keep the face visible, avoid feeding during the event, and observe the eyes, limbs, colour, and breathing. Time the episode and record a video only if doing so does not delay emergency help. Never shake or restrain the baby.

Call emergency services for any first suspected seizure, repeated episodes, blue or grey colour, breathing difficulty, poor responsiveness, fever, or movements that do not stop. A newborn should be assessed urgently even when the episode is brief or the baby settles afterward, because babies may show few obvious signs between events.

Ask what the monitoring showed, which cause is being treated, how medicines are given and monitored, what signs to watch for at home, and when follow-up with a paediatric or neurology team is needed. Ask how feeding and sleep should be managed during recovery.