Todd's paralysis

Todd's paralysis is a neurological condition experienced by individuals with epilepsy, in which a seizure is followed by a brief period of temporary paralysis.

Pathophysiology

• The paralysis may be partial or complete but usually occurs on just one side of the body.
• The paralysis can last from half an hour to 36 hours, with an average of 15 hours, at which point it resolves completely.
• Todd's paralysis may also affect speech and vision.

Cause

• What causes Todd's paralysis is not known.
• Current theories propose biological processes in the brain that involve a slow down in either the energy output of neurons or in the motor centers of the brain.

Differential diagnosis

• It is important to distinguish Todd's paralysis from a stroke, which it can resemble, because a stroke requires completely different treatment.

Prognosis

• Todd's paralysis is an indication that an individual has had an epileptic seizure.
• The outcome depends on the effects of the seizure and the subsequent treatment of the epilepsy.

Treatment

• There is no treatment for Todd's paralysis.
• Individuals must rest as comfortably as possible until the paralysis disappears.

Todd's paralysis Resources
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