What is a common complication of prolonged seizures?

Hypoxemia is a common complication of prolonged seizures, often resulting from a combination of factors. During a seizure, there is typically increased muscular activity and altered respiratory patterns, which can lead to inadequate oxygenation of the blood. The intense, sustained muscle contractions may also cause an increase in metabolic demand for oxygen, further exacerbating any existing respiratory issues. If a seizure persists for an extended period, it can significantly impair the body's ability to maintain adequate blood oxygen levels, resulting in hypoxemia.

When seizures last longer than a couple of minutes, it’s crucial to address oxygen supply and ensure adequate ventilation to prevent this potentially life-threatening complication. In some cases, the combination of prolonged seizure activity and lack of effective respiratory function can escalate quickly, necessitating immediate medical intervention to restore adequate oxygenation.

The other options, while serious complications, are less immediate and not as characteristic of the physiological changes seen during prolonged seizure activity.