[Localized neonatal convulsions and cerebral arterial infarction].

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a rare cause of neonatal seizures.

METHODS

During a 5-year period, eight full-term infants were admitted to hospital for seizures due to a stroke. Seizures began shortly after birth and were always one-sided. Early CT scans showed cerebral infarctions. Motor disabilities such as hemiparesis were found in three out of seven cases; language difficulties were observed in the same proportion; however all the children had not reached school age.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal localized seizures may be symptomatic of a stroke and therefore justify a computerized tomography (CT) scan. Motor and cognitive sequelae require early management.