Neonatal Seizures and Treatments

Neonatal seizures are among the most common neurological emergencies in the neonatal intensive care unit and are distinct from seizures observed in older infants, children, and adults. Their subtle and often non-motor presentation, combined with complex etiologies, makes timely diagnosis and effective treatment challenging.

This CME/CE course provides a comprehensive examination of neonatal seizures, equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge needed to recognize, diagnose, and manage these conditions. The course begins by clearly defining neonatal seizures and highlighting how their presentation differs from seizures in other age groups. It explores key terminology used in clinical neurology to describe seizure types specific to neonates, such as electroclinical and electrographic-only seizures.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how electroencephalography (EEG)—especially continuous video EEG monitoring—plays a central role in the diagnosis and management of neonatal seizures. EEG helps detect subclinical events that would otherwise go unnoticed and guides the response to treatment.

The course outlines the clinical manifestations of neonatal seizures, including focal clonic movements, tonic posturing, autonomic signs, and subtle behavioral cues. Participants will learn how to distinguish seizure-related behaviors from normal neonatal movements.

An essential component of the course is the review of the latest International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) treatment guidelines. These evidence-based recommendations highlight appropriate first-line and second-line treatments, including the use of phenobarbital, levetiracetam, and other agents. Emphasis is placed on early intervention to reduce seizure burden and prevent long-term neurological sequelae.

By integrating the latest in EEG diagnostics, clinical recognition skills, and ILAE treatment protocols, this course prepares clinicians to manage neonatal seizures with greater precision and improved outcomes.

Educational Objectives

• Define neonatal seizures and distinguish them from seizures occurring in older children or adults.
• Explain clinical terminology used to classify and describe neonatal seizures.
• Describe the diagnostic utility of EEG, including electroclinical and electrographic-only seizures, in neonates.
• Recognize clinical manifestations of neonatal seizures and differentiate them from non-seizure behaviors.
• Apply updated ILAE treatment guidelines to select appropriate antiseizure medications and manage neonatal seizures effectively.

Who Should Do This Course?

This course is ideal for:

• Neonatologists, Pediatric Neurologists, and Epileptologists managing seizure presentations in neonates.
• NICU Nurses, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, and Pediatric Intensive Care Providers.
• Pediatricians and Emergency Medicine Physicians caring for newborns and high-risk infants.
• Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants working in perinatal care, neurology, or pediatric hospital settings.
• Family Medicine and Critical Care Providers involved in transitional or acute neonatal care.

This course is beneficial for clinicians in NICU, emergency, and pediatric neurology settings where rapid recognition and response are essential.

Did You Know?

• Neonatal seizures affect approximately 1.5 to 3.5 per 1,000 live births. (Neurology, 2021)
• Up to 80% of neonatal seizures are subclinical and only detectable by EEG. (Epilepsia, 2018)
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most common cause of neonatal seizures. (Pediatrics, 2019)
• Early treatment of seizures is associated with improved long-term cognitive outcomes. (Journal of Child Neurology, 2020)
• The ILAE’s 2022 guidelines for neonatal seizures emphasize individualized therapy based on etiology and seizure type. (ILAE, 2022)