An 18-month-old child presents to the clinic after experiencing a seizure characterized by rhythmic jerking movements of both arms and legs lasting for about two minutes. The child was previously healthy. Which type of seizure does this presentation most likely represent?
- A) Absence seizure
- B) Tonic seizure
- C) Clonic seizure ✓
- D) Myoclonic seizure
To determine the type of seizure experienced by the 18-month-old child, we need to analyze the characteristics of the seizure described:
- Seizure Characteristics: The child exhibited rhythmic jerking movements of both arms and legs lasting for about two minutes. This description is crucial in identifying the type of seizure.
- Types of Seizures:
- Absence Seizure (A): Typically characterized by brief lapses in consciousness and subtle body movements, such as eye blinking or lip smacking. These seizures usually last only a few seconds and do not involve rhythmic jerking of limbs.
- Tonic Seizure (B): Involves stiffening of muscles, which can affect the arms, legs, or trunk. Tonic seizures often result in a sudden loss of posture but do not typically present with rhythmic jerking.
- Clonic Seizure (C): Characterized by rhythmic jerking movements that can affect various parts of the body, including both arms and legs. Clonic seizures can last for several minutes and are consistent with the description provided.
- Myoclonic Seizure (D): Involves sudden, brief jerks or twitches of muscles but does not typically include sustained rhythmic movements over a duration like two minutes.
- Duration and Movement Pattern: The key detail here is that the seizure lasted for about two minutes and involved rhythmic jerking movements of both arms and legs. This aligns most closely with clonic seizures.
- Conclusion: Based on this analysis, the most likely type of seizure represented by this presentation is a clonic seizure.
Answer: C) Clonic seizure
