While these abnormal behavioral patterns in infants correspond to their seizure types, not all such clinical events are consistently related to EEG discharges and thus are not all epileptic in origin. Neonatal seizures may be caused by various metabolic problems, brain damage, or a lack of oxygen during the prenatal period. Cerebral dysmorphism, prenatal infection and vascular occlusion, maternal drug abuse, and a family history of epilepsy can complicate the newborn's health and may increase the risk of seizures. Furthermore, the seizures themselves may impede brain growth, resulting in cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or epilepsy at a later time. Benzodiazapines, phenobarbital , and phenytoin may be used to control neonatal seizures.
Phenobarbital remains the drug of choice.