Seizures: What to do during a seizure - My Child Has

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Seizures: What to do during a seizure

Seizures: What to do during a seizure

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It is most important to protect the child from harm during a seizure. Here are some tips:

Even though you may feel frightened, try to stay calm.
Stay with your child until the seizure stops.
Notice what time the seizure starts and stops and what body parts are involved.
If your child is sitting or standing, gently ease them to the floor. Keep child's head from falling backward. Turn your child on their side. A soft object may be placed under the head to prevent injury.
Do not let your child turn over on his back. This will prevent choking if the child vomits.
Loosen tight clothing.
Move tables, chairs, or other hard objects away so that they will not hurt your child. (If objects cannot be removed, gently slide your child away from them.)

What not to do during a seizure:

Do not try to open your child's mouth or place anything between his teeth. This could injure his/her gums or break his/her teeth. If there is mucus or food affecting breathing, gently try to remove it.
Do not try to stop your child's movement.
Do not try to "shake your child out of it."

What to watch for:

Some children get a feeling or "aura" before a seizure begins. Muscle twitching, irritability, headache, vision changes or upset stomach may be part of your child's aura, but this is different for each child.

Your child's doctor may want to know what the seizure was like so watch your child during the seizure. After the seizure, write down what you saw. Look for such things as:

Where did the seizure start? (hands, arms, legs, eyes)
Did the seizure stay in one area of the body or did it move to other areas too?
What type of movement did you see? (jerking, twitching, stiffness)
How many minutes did the seizure last? (Time the seizure with a watch, if possible.)
Precipitating/trigger factors

After the seizure:

Your child may have soiled their pants or vomited. After the child is cleaned and/or changed clothes, allow your child to rest. They may be very tired and may sleep for a few hours. The child may complain of a headache or soreness. If your child feels cold, keep them warm with a blanket or coat. It is a good idea to check your child's temperature (rectally) as some seizures can be caused by high temperatures. Your child's doctor will need to know if he/she has a fever.

Call your child's doctor if:

Your child has trouble breathing or skin color becomes bluish. Call 911 for emergency help if needed.
The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
Your child cannot be awakened 30 minutes after the seizure.
There has been a change in frequency or type of seizure activity.
Your child has a fever and you don't know why.

Helpful tips

Make sure you refill prescriptions before the medicine runs out.
Be sure to give the medicine on time.
Do not give extra medicine or change the amount of medicine given without asking your child's doctor.
Your child should wear a medication identification bracelet or necklace. Ask your pharmacist or call 1-800-ID-ALERT. If an emergency occurs, the doctor treating your child will need to know they are taking this medicine.
Tell your child's school, babysitter, and family friends that they have seizures and share first aid tips.
Your child should never swim alone, drive alone or ride a bike without a helmet
Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or child stops breathing.


					Children's Hospital Boston is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School

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