A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. One of the most frightening experiences for a parent is seeing their child having a seizure. The unexpected nature of a seizure can be alarming and scary. Parents should seek immediate medical attention for the child who is having his or her first seizure.
Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This can include a high fever, low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion.
In newborns and infants, seizures may be caused by perinatal disorders, prematurity, fever, metabolic or chemical imbalances in the body or genetic factors. In children, adolescents and young adults, seizures may be caused by alcohol, drugs, trauma to the head, brain injury, infection, congenital conditions or genetic factors. Other possible causes of seizures may include brain tumors, neurological problems, drug withdrawal, medications or use of illicit drugs.
A child may have varying degrees of symptoms depending on the type of the seizure. Symptoms or warning signs of a seizure may include:
• Staring
• Jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Stiffening of the body
• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing problems or breathing stops
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness
• Not responding to noise or words for brief periods
• Appearing confused or in a haze
• Periods of rapid eye blinking and staring
If you see that a child is having a seizure, place him or her on the ground or floor in a safe area, preferably on their right side. You should immediately remove any nearby objects and loosen any clothing around the head or neck. Do not try to wedge the child’s mouth open or place an object between the teeth, and do not attempt to restrain movements. Once the seizure seems to have ended, you should gently comfort the child. It’s best for kids to remain lying down until they have recovered fully and want to move around.
If your child has previously had seizures, call 911 if a seizure lasts more than five minutes or is for some reason very alarming to you and you’re worried for your child’s safety. You should also call 911 if your child has a head injury, may have ingested something poisonous, has difficulty breathing or has never had a seizure before.
The full extent of a seizure may not be completely understood until a comprehensive medical evaluation and diagnostic testing. During the examination, your child’s physician will obtain a complete medical history of the child and family and ask when the seizures occurred.
The goal of seizure management is to control, stop or decrease the frequency of the seizures without interfering with the child’s normal growth and development.
It is important to note that epilepsy is different than a seizure. When a person has two or more recurrent, unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy.
To learn more about the cause and impact of a seizure, please see your child’s pediatrician or primary care physician. Eskenazi Health provides well-child checkup services at several locations. For more information on these services or to find a pediatrician or primary care physician, please call 317-880-8687. Eskenazi Health Center has a sliding fee schedule and is open to all regardless of ability to pay.
Nydia Nuñez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington