Seizures causing apnea in infants?

[George__0]

Posted by George on May 10, 1999 at 15:08:12
Our 9 week old son (40 weeks gestation, normal vaginal delivery) was just
released yesterday from the pediatric intensive care unit at a state
university hospital.   His hospitalized care began last Tuesday evening
after his third incident of not breathing.  The first three events occurred
at home between  5:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.. with the first and third events
occurring while nursing and the other during a sponge bath.   In all three
occasions, he immediately turned blue gray, his eyes stared and had a
glassy look.  I don't know whether his skin was hot or cold to the touch
nor whether he was stiff or limp.  But I do know the incidents lasted from
20 -30 seconds, the time it took my wife to jiggle the baby and call his
name until he came to.  Then the baby immediately fell asleep as if
exhausted.  
On the third event we called our family physician's practice to see what
should be done.   The doctor on call said to bring the baby to the
emergency room.  In the five hours he was in the local hospital for testing
and observation, the baby had two more episodes of apnea.  An oxygen mask was used to help revive the baby.  The baby was air lifted to the
university hospital to receive further tests and observation in a pediatric
intensive care unit.  He arrived at the university hospital about 4 am
Wednesday.   While in the PICU and being prepped for an EKG,  the baby had another episode.    This last (6th) episode occurred in the presence of a pediatric cardiologist, two nurses and 3 physicians in residence.   Again
he turned blue gray, had glassy looking eyes.   My wife said the baby's
skin felt clammy.  His oxygen saturation level plummeted to 23 or 28 (my
wife, formerly an ICU nurse, could not remember which)  respirations
zeroed and his heart rate dropped too.  An oxygen mask with pump bulb and tactile stimulation were necessary to bring him to consciousness, after
which he immediately fell asleep.  
A battery of tests including a cat scan, EKG, blood work and EEG were run a few hours before and after the last incident.  Later that day he was hooked up to run a sleep apnea test and a GI reflux test, each for a 24 hour
period to see if anything was abnormal in these areas.  All test results
showed normal functions.  This "normalcy" puzzled the pediatric neurologist
who said it was not uncommon for an infant to have a seizure but he had not seen a baby seize and have all his other life functions altered so
dramatically as well.   He then ordered a 24 -36 hour EEG in hopes of
capturing an event while being monitored.  After 40 hours of EEG monitoring and no apnea event, the baby was released.   We were given the option to put the baby on phenol barbital but said, "Why, no one knows what the problem is so how can we pretend to offer a solution for a problem that is undefined?"  He conceded that was good logic.  
During the five day period, we heard of three instances each from different
sources in different states that babies from a couple days to 7-10 days
after immunization had experienced seizures.   We offered this information
to the neurologist who said that the likelihood of the baby reacting to the
immunizations he had 8 days before the first event was too remote to
seriously consider as a cause because too many days had passed.  
My wife and I are now home with our baby who is attached to an apnea
monitor for the next two months.  After extensive testing and observation,
we are no more knowledgeable about the apparent cause of our baby's apnea attacks than when the first one occurred.  If anyone out there has any clues that might shed light on this case, please let us know.   Thanks.
Posted by HFHS.RN-AM on May 20, 1999 at 13:10:16
While there is a remote chance that your child could be experiencing seizures as a result of vaccination - the chances are very slim, and would occur within 4 hours to 2 weeks, and not months later as alluded to by Cris. For very detailed and accurate information on vaccinations, contact your state's department of health. Childhood immunizations are critically important in preventing devastating diseases, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends complete and timely immunization for ALL children.
I gather from your letter that the episodes have not reoccured since your baby came home from the hospital. Sometimes these episodes are idiopathic, and they come then go, never to return again,  and a cause is never found. Your doctors certainly completed the full battery of tests indicated for the symptoms. Perhaps if the episodes return, an MRI or CT may be considered.
I understand how frightening this is for your family. Good luck