Expanding Spectrum of Paroxysmal Events in Children: Potential Mimickers of Epilepsy

Paroxysmal events in children can mimic epileptic seizures, and many of them have only been recently described, or are only now being increasingly recognized. An awareness of the different mimickers of epilepsy and the art of history-taking will help pediatricians and neurologists differentiate epileptic from nonepileptic events. Nonepileptic paroxysms can present with drop attacks, limb or eye jerks, and abnormal postures. This review describes the different mimickers of epilepsy and focuses on their circumstances, precipitators, prodromes, pathophysiology, and other manifestations that help distinguish them from epilepsy.