Tonic-clonic (grand mal):Abnormal electrical activity simultaneously
occurs in both hemispheres of the brain and then moves from the cortex
to the brainstem. It begins with the tonic phase expressed as uncon-
sciousness, continuous muscle contraction, and sustained stiffness. This
is followed by the clonic phase, which is expressed as alternating mus-
cle contractions in a rhythmic repetitive jerking motion.
Simple partial seizure:Abnormal electrical activity occurs in one hemi-
sphere of the brain or from an area of the cerebral cortex. There is no loss
of consciousness and lasts <30 seconds.
Complex partial seizures:Abnormal electrical activity occurs in one
hemisphere of the brain or from an area of the cerebral cortex resulting in
impaired consciousness lasting up to 5 minutes and postseizure confusion.
Absence seizure (petit mal):Brief loss of consciousness lasting <30 sec-
onds with no postseizure confusion and minimal or no loss of postural tone.
Atonic seizure:Loss of posture tone causing a drop-and-fall action.
Myoclonic seizure:Involuntary jerking and loss of body tone resulting
in falling forward, often occurring when falling asleep or awakening.
There is no loss of consciousness or postseizure confusion.
Akinetic seizure:Brief loss of muscle tone and brief loss of consciousness.
Infantile spasms:Delays in neurologic development or neurologic
abnormalities result in abrupt jerking and contracting of the head and
neck that begin at 2 months of age and resolve by 2 years of age.
Febrile seizure:Rapid rise in body temperature of >102.2° F (39°C) in
children 6 months to 6 years of age might result in tonic/clonic seizures
lasting <15 minutes.
Status epilepticus: Continuous seizure or a series of seizures lasting for
>30 minutes during which there is a loss of consciousness. Postseizure
period can last for up to 2 hours.Signs and Symptoms
Tonic:- Unconsciousness
- Continuous muscle contraction
- Sustained stiffness
Clonic: - Alternating muscle contract in a rhythmic repetitive jerking motion
- Syncope
- Incontinence
- Biting of the tongue
- Holding breath
Tonic-clonic: - Unconsciousness
- Continuous muscle contraction
- Sustained stiffness
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