Sensory: Some simple partial seizures consist of a sensory experience. The child may see lights, hear a buzzing sound or feel tingling or numbness in a part of the body. These seizures are sometimes called Jacksonian sensory seizures.

Motor: Other simple partial seizures consist of convulsive movements, which are generally clonic (jerking). Jerking typically begins in one area of the body: the face, arm, leg or trunk. Jerking may then spread from that part to other parts of the body. These seizures are sometimes called Jacksonian motor seizures and the spread is called a Jacksonian march.  It cannot be stopped.

Emotional and Other: Simple partial seizures which arise in or near the temporal lobes often take the form of an "odd experience".  Children may see or hear things that are not there. They may feel an emotion: often fear, but sometimes sadness, anger or joy. They may smell a bad smell or taste a bad taste. They may have a funny feeling in the pit of their stomach or a choking sensation.  These seizures are sometimes called simple partial seizures of temporal lobe origin or temporal lobe auras.

Simple partial seizures usually last just a few seconds, although they may be longer. If they do not involve convulsive movements, they may not be obvious to the onlooker. In some children, simple partial seizures lead to complex partial seizures or to tonic-clonic convulsions.

Simple Partial Seizures are NOT:

	hysteria
	acting out
	mental illness

SOME MEDICATIONS USED FOR SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURES:

DILANTIN  ® (PHENYTOIN)

Rarely used in children

Can cause:

	nausea, vomiting, constipation
	sedation (high dose)
	increase in body hair
	gum overgrowth

LAMICTAL ® (LAMOTRIGINE)

Broad-spectrum anti-convulsant

Can cause:

	dizziness
	visual disturbances
	ataxia
	sedation
	skin rash

Less Common Side Effects:

allergic response (skin rash)

***Labeling suggests this medication not to be used in children under the age of 18***

MYSOLINE ® (PRIMIDONE)

	Can cause:
	drowsiness/dizziness/clumsiness
	nausea/vomiting

Less Common Side-Effects

	skin rash
	fever

Since Mysoline is partially changed to Phenobarbital in the body, it is not usually prescribed in conjunction with Phenobarbital.

NEURONTIN ® (GABAPENTIN)

Safety and efficacy in children are still under investigation

Can cause:

	stomach upsets
	sedation

PHENOBARBITAL

Oldest established anti-epileptic medication

Can cause:

	sedation (very common)
	irritability, paradoxical excitement

Less Common Side Effects

	skin rash
	fever

Children who show the sedative side effects of Phenobarbital may experience memory and cognitive problems. The abrupt discontinuation of Phenobarbital may lead to a sudden increase in seizures.

SABRIL ® (VIGABATRIN)

Often used as an add-on with other anticonvulsants.

Can cause:

	drowsiness
	gastrointestinal upset
	weight gain

Less Common Side Effects

behavioral disturbances (aggression, psychosis)

TEGRETOL ® (CARBAMAZEPINE)

Can cause

nausea/vomiting

	blurred/double vision
	transient leukopenia
	drowsiness

Less Common Side Effects

	skin rash
	fever
	anemias (low white blood cell count)

With regular Tegretol ®, a wide daily fluctuation in blood levels of the drug is seen in some children. For this reason, it may be difficult to get the right dosage. The Tegretol-CR ® (controlled release) formulation, however, provides steady blood levels and many people find that the side effects are not as prevalent.  Tegretol ® is also available in a liquid (Tegretol ® Suspension) and in a chewable formulation (Chewtabs ­® - must be chewed completely to be effective).

July 4, 2002