December 24, 2021
Caring for a child diagnosed with epilepsy or any seizure disorder can be challenging. One of the more challenging parts of caring for a child who has seizures is knowing what a seizure looks like and knowing what to do if you notice that your child is either about to have a seizure or is actively seizing. Below, we outline the warning signs of seizures and what to do if your child is having a seizure.
What is a seizure?
The brain is made up of billions of special cells called neurons. Neurons communicate with each other through electrical pulses to move our muscles/limbs, facilitate breathing, control our heart rate, and so much more. A seizure occurs when there are changes, more specifically a surge, in electrical activity in the brain.
There are many different types of seizure disorders. Seizures can occur in a specific area of one hemisphere (side) of the brain, called partial seizures, or in a more widespread area of the brain that involves both hemispheres, called general seizures.
What Are the Signs of a Seizure?
A seizure may be difficult to recognize in a child because the symptoms of a seizure won’t always include convulsions or other very noticeable signs. A seizure can either cause dramatic changes in a person’s behavior and/or movements, or none at all.
The specific signs or symptoms of a seizure will vary depending on the type of seizure. General warning signs or symptoms of a seizure include:
- Staring or rapid eye blinking
- Loss of consciousness
- Change in breathing or stopping breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- Looking confused
- Rhythmically nodding the head
- Stiffening of the body
- Jerking movements of the arms or legs
During the seizure, your child may foam at the mouth, their skin may turn blue, and their breathing may be abnormal.
We recommend that you record what you observe before and during a seizure. The Epilepsy Foundation offers valuable resources, like a seizure description form and tips for observing and recording seizures. This information can help your child’s doctor gain a better understanding of what might be causing your child’s seizures and in what part of the brain the seizure is happening.
What To Do if Your Child Has a Seizure
If you notice that your child is about to have a seizure or that they’re seizing, we recommend that you take the following steps:
- Gently lay your child on the ground on their side (this helps prevent choking on saliva or vomit)
- Move any nearby objects
- Place a pillow or something soft underneath their head
- Loosen anything that may be around the child’s head and/or neck
Do not:
- Hold your child
- Try to stop them from shaking
- Put anything in your child’s mouth (nothing to eat or drink and no medications) until they are fully awake and alert
Seek medical attention if your child:
- Has a seizure while in water
- Seizes for more than 5 minutes
- Has a fever
- Risks a head injury while seizing
- Remains unconscious for more than a few minutes or has trouble breathing following the seizure
If you feel that you need help caring for your child, consider hiring an in-home nurse. At JSP Home Care Services, our licensed nurses provide diligent pediatric seizure care. Every child is different, and therefore every care plan for children with seizures is unique. We work together with your child’s doctors to understand exactly what your child needs. To learn more about how we help children who experience seizures and their families, contact us online or call 866.860.2528.
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