Brief Answer:
MRI is safe for neonate

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for asking on this platform

I have gone through the query and do understand your concern.
There can be so many causes of seizure right from low blood sugar, low calcium level, infection to any brain disorder like bleeding, tumor, any structural abnormality of brain.
MRI is very safe and is of high diagnostic value in all age groups including the newborn period. There is no radiation hazard with MRI in comparison to X-ray and CT scan.
It is always better to rule out any brain abnormality for early detection, intervention and also for long term prognostication(outcome).
You may not find any abnormality in MRI and in that case the comparative outcome is better.
Ultrasound brain is other safe modality which is already done.
So you can go for MRI brain safely.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards

---

Brief Answer:
Seizure and medications have variable affects on heart rate

Detailed Answer:
Hi

In medical science there are various possibilities in different situation and one has to correlate all the findings to each other.
In seizure there can be increased heart rate or decreased heart rate.
Even abnormally increased or decreased heart rate can also present with seizure.
The more common finding is increased heart rate with seizure. One has to look the cause of seizure as if seizure is due to low sugar or low calcium there can be low heart rate due to sugar and calcium level per se and not due to seizure. Similarly in brain infection there can be low heart rate due to increase in pressure in brain and infection itself may cause seizure.
Some cardiac conduction abnormality can present with seizure like long QT syndrome.
So in summary by saying that whether seizure causes increased or decreased heart rate will not solve the issue. A multisystem approach is needed.
There are few medications of seizure which can affect heart rate like Phenytoin may cause decreased heart rate by acting on electrical conducting system of heart.


Regards

---

Brief Answer:
Please reattach the report

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I am sorry but I did not find the attached report.So I request you to reattach the report.
During initial month of life the infection in the brain should always be ruled out in case of seizure if there is any suspicion. MRI brain usually rules out any structural abnormality although it can show the changes due to infection(meningitis)also.
Lumber puncture is very specific to detect any brain infection. It is needed as the duration of antibiotic treatment is more in case of bacterial brain infection.
As the baby has already received the antibiotics the lumber puncture study may not be very suggestive(ideally it should be done before starting the antibiotics).
Again the final decision depends on the treating clinician.
Personally I feel although it would have been better if lumber puncture was done during initial days,even then you should go for the test.If it comes negative you should be assured that there is nothing serious and if it is suggestive or doubtful then the baby may need complete course of antibiotics.

Regards

---

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be febrile seizure

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Pneumonia which is primarily an infection of lungs itself does not causes seizure. But associated factors like hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia, other electrolyte abnormalities or decreased oxygen supply to brain may cause seizures.
Once the structural abnormalities(by MRI and USG brain), brain infection is being ruled out;EEG (a test to check electrical activities in brain) can be done to rule out seizure disorder(unlikely in this age) .
Based on EEG one can decide whether the seizure medications need to be given for long term or not. If EEG test is positive long term seizure medication is needed but if it is negative one can try to withhold the medication considering that the episode of seizure was due to some transient abnormality.
Febrile seizure is unlikely in this age. Febrile seizure is usually seen in babies more than 3 months of age and when there is no other associated significant comorbities.

It is good to know that baby is doing well. My all best wishes with you.
Praying for his early recovery.
I shall be glad to help further if you need any.
With regards

---

Brief Answer:
My pleasure sir

Detailed Answer:
It's my pleasure that you found my suggestions helpful.
Please let me know anytime if you have any query.
Thanks

---