Seizures in the Neonate

The initial presentation of seizures in a neonate should in general be considered an urgent condition, requiring close monitoring and a thorough diagnostic evaluation to exclude treatable and life-threatening conditions. electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring (including continuous video-EEG and amplitude integrated EEG) remains the foundation of an accurate diagnosis of seizures but rapidly evolving neuroimaging techniques and genetic markers are expanding our ability to identify an underlying etiology. This chapter provides an overview of diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures. We also present a protocol for initial diagnosis and therapy for neonatal seizures used in our Neurosciences Intensive Care Nursery program.