Seizures Triggered by July 4th Fireworks in an 8-Year-Old Girl With Perinatal Stroke

Abstract

Warnings regarding fireworks displays as a possible seizure-producing stimulus have been around for several years, but there is a lack of well-documented cases. This case describes photic- and/or pattern-induced seizures that appeared to be triggered by July 4 fireworks. This 8-year-old girl with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and known seizure disorder because of perinatal right middle cerebral artery stroke had a cluster of seizures within minutes of the onset of a professional fireworks display. The seizures stopped when the child’s eyes were covered and she was taken away from the scene. The importance of photic- and pattern-induced seizures in children is discussed.