Seizure patterns in childhood.

Seizures are alarming and can be life-threatening. It is essential that pediatric providers be able to identify those paroxysmal events most likely to be seizures and to know which require immediate evaluation. Severity can range from childhood syndromes that are controlled relatively easily and usually outgrown to epileptic encephalopathies that are associated with severe developmental delay and sometimes death. Familiarity with seizure semiology can guide early diagnosis and treatment.