Focal clonic |
Repetitive, rhythmic contracts of muscle groups of the limbs, face or trunk |
May be unifocal or multifocal |
May occur synchronously or asynchronously in muscle groups on one side of the body |
May occur simultaneously, but asynchronously on both sides |
Cannot be suppressed by restraint |
Pathophysiology: epileptic |
Focal tonic |
Sustained posturing of single limbs |
Sustained asymmetrical posturing of the trunk |
Sustained eye deviation |
Cannot be provoked by stimulation or suppressed by restraint |
Pathophysiology: epileptic |
Generalized tonic |
Sustained symmetrical posturing of limbs, trunk and neck |
May be flexor, extensor or mixed extensor/flexor |
May be provoked or intensified by stimulation |
May be suppressed by restraint or repositioning |
Presumed pathophysiology: nonepileptic |
Myoclonic |
Random, single, rapid contractions of muscle groups of the limbs, face or trunk |
Typically not repetitive or may recur at a slow rate |
May be generalized, focal or fragmentary |
May be provoked by stimulation |
Presumed pathophysiology: may be epileptic or nonepileptic |
Spasms |
May be flexor, extensor, or mixed extensor/flexor |
May occur in clusters |
Cannot be provoked by stimulation or suppressed by restraint |
Pathophysiology: Epileptic |
Motor Automatisms |
Described in table "Motor automatisms" |
Sequential seizure |
Variety of clinical signs occur in sequence with an individual seizure |
May change in lateralization within or between seizures |
Presumed pathophysiology: Genetic neonatal epilepsy |
Adapted from: Mizrahi EM, Kellaway P. Diagnosis and Management of Neonatal Seizures. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia 1998.
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