Seizure or Something Else?

Not every episode that looks like a seizure is one, and for pediatricians, distinguishing the difference can be challenging. Few moments in the clinic can feel as urgent, or as uncertain, as evaluating spells. In this episode, we unravel the mysteries of seizures and their mimics to prevent misdiagnosis and avoid unnecessary intervention.

This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Shavonne Massey, MD. She is a neurologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

In this episode, our urology expert discusses: 

• Differentiators between seizures and mimics 
• What pediatricians can do when a child is experiencing a seizure 
• Key factors they can look for during an exam 
• Most common seizure mimics that present in children depending on age