Skip to main content

Nonmotor Seizures Often Undiagnosed in the Emergency Department

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 2, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 -- Nonmotor seizures are often missed in the emergency department and are only realized after conversion to motor seizures, according to a study published online May 1 in Neurology.

Nora Jandhyala, from NYU Langone Health in New York City, and colleagues investigated recognition of motor versus nonmotor seizures in the emergency department among 83 individuals (ages 12 to 18 years) who where neurotypical and within four months of treatment initiation for focal epilepsy.

The researchers found that 70 percent of participants presented to an emergency department before diagnosis of epilepsy. While most presented for motor seizures (52 patients; 90 percent), many had a history of nonmotor seizures (20 of 52; 38 percent). Individuals with initial nonmotor seizures were less likely to present to the emergency department (26 of 44 [59 percent] versus 32 of 39 [82 percent]). Nonmotor seizures were less likely to be correctly identified (33 versus 81 percent). Among adolescents who presented for a first-lifetime motor seizure, a history of initial nonmotor seizures was not recognized in any; therefore, initiation of treatment and admission from the emergency department were not more likely for those who met the definition of epilepsy versus those with no seizure history. Compared with an adult group, this lack of nonmotor seizure history recognition in the emergency department was greater (0 percent for adolescents versus 23 percent for adults), with occurrence in both pediatric and nonpediatric settings.

"Our study highlights a critical need for physicians to inquire about the symptoms of nonmotor seizures, even when the presenting seizure is motor," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2024

Read this next

Number, Size of Seizures of Fentanyl Increasing in the United States

MONDAY, May 13, 2024 -- The number and size of seizures of fentanyl are increasing in the United States, with most seizures occurring in the West, according to a study published...

Sleep Apnea, Low Oxygen in Sleep Linked to Late-Onset Epilepsy

THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 -- Sleep apnea and late-midlife oxygen desaturation to less than 80 percent during sleep are associated with subsequent development of late-onset epilepsy...

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Does Not Increase New-Onset Seizure Risk

TUESDAY, April 30, 2024 -- There is no risk for new-onset seizure incidence for individuals receiving a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine versus...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.