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The brain has a continuous electrical activity. A seizure occurs when the nerve cells in the brain send out sudden, excessive, uncontrolled electrical signals. Seizures can produce a variety of symptoms.1 The child might stop responding and stare into space, often get stiff and have uncontrolled shaking movements involving one part of the body or the whole body and can pass out. Most seizures last only a few seconds or minutes.2
The cause of seizure can be unknown, genetic, but most commonly in children resulting from a developmental disorder or birth defect. Other causes can be head injuries, infection of the brain, stroke, brain tumors, or simple febrile illness.3
Many children outgrow their seizures. A child is more likely to outgrow his seizures if he has a normal electroencephalogram (test which records the brain electrical activity), normal brain imaging, normal development, no other neurological problems, and the seizures are controlled easily with medication.1
Factors which may trigger seizures are low glucose, lack of sleep, illness and fever, missed medications, and significant mental or physical stress. You should know that there are many other kinds of problems that can look like seizures, for example fainting, breath holding, reflux or spitting up, anxiety attacks.1
The biggest concern is that a child will be physically injured when he has a seizure. Besides, if a seizure lasts longer than 30 minutes, it may cause scarring of the brain, but this is very rare.1 The best way to keep your child safe from injuries is to follow the seizure precautions and make sure your child takes his medication regularly.4
Seizures are very scary, but you need to stay calm. Gently try to get the child into a position where he is safe. Let him lay on their side. He may foam at the mouth or drool. Use a watch or clock to time the seizure. Observe his behavior and movements. Do not put anything in his mouth. Do not try to stop or restrain the movements.5 The only way to stop a seizure is with medicine, used if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes. After a seizure, children often are very confused, tired and sleepy.1
Call for help if: 1
- It's the first seizure.
- The seizure lasts more than five minutes.
- Several seizures occur in a short period of time without the child recovering in between the seizures.
- Your child was hurt during the seizure.
- Your child will not respond in any way to you 30 minutes after the seizure.
- Your child is having trouble breathing.
Dr. Dany Hamod
Pediatric, Neonatologist
