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Childhood seizuresWhat are childhood seizures?Seizures can also be called convulsions, fits or attacks. Childhood seizures are the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can be caused by a number of conditions. Children who have recurrent seizures (those that occur more than once) may have epilepsy, although another more common condition, called febrile convulsions, also causes multiple seizures. If a child has more than one seizure, a specialist will consider a diagnosis of epilepsy. Around five in every 1000 UK school children are thought to have the condition. Around a third of children with epilepsy will grow out of it when they reach adulthood.
What causes childhood seizures and who is at risk?In most cases, the cause isn't found. Sometimes, epilepsy has a genetic basis and runs in families. In other cases, it can be caused by an illness such as meningitis, or by damage to the brain that may have happened before, during or after birth. Seizures often come without warning, although they may be triggered by a variety of events, including flashing lights, tiredness or stress. What are the common types of childhood seizures?There are many different types of childhood seizures. Seizures can be classified either as generalised or partial depending on the type of abnormal brain activity that causes them.
Generalised seizuresAbout a third of childhood seizures are generalised. Tonic-clonic seizuresThis is also called a grand-mal seizure, and is the most common form of generalised seizure. The child loses consciousness and falls to the ground. The arms and legs stiffen. This phase usually lasts for only a few seconds and, as breathing may be shallower than usual, the child's lips may turn blue. This is followed by a rhythmic jerking of the arms, legs and often the entire body - this can be violent and quite alarming to observers. These are known as involuntary or clonic movements. This stage normally lasts less than five minutes. It may be associated with tongue biting and incontinence of urine or faeces. On coming around, the child is confused, drowsy, and may have a headache, but doesn't remember what happened Absence seizuresAbsence seizures are also known as petit-mal attacks. They are episodes of loss of consciousness without falling or involuntary movements. The child stops whatever he or she is doing, looks vacant for five to 20 seconds and then continues what he or she was doing as if nothing had happened. These attacks occur after the age of two years and are most common between five and nine years of age. Most children grow out of them by their teenage years but, rarely, they continue into adult life. It's important that absence seizures are diagnosed and treated, because if they are frequent your child's education may be seriously disrupted. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsyJuvenile myoclonic epilepsy has a genetic basis and runs in families. It causes episodes of jerking of the hands, arms or entire body. The jerks occur most frequently in the early morning. It usually begins in late childhood and the affected child may also suffer from absence attacks or tonic-clonic seizures. Partial seizuresAbout two thirds of childhood seizures are partial seizures. Symptoms vary depending on what part of the brain the abnormalities are happening in. In simple partial seizures the child doesn't lose consciousness. Symptoms can include twitching, numbness, dizziness, nausea, disturbances to hearing, vision, smell or taste, or a strong sense of déjà vu. In complex partial seizures, although the child seems fully aware, their consciousness is affected and he or she will have no memory of the episode. Symptoms can include the child making strange faces, swallowing, lip smacking, chewing and muttering while being apparently awake, but not aware of what is going on around him or her. Febrile convulsionsFebrile convulsions are a common problem that affect approximately 3 to 5% of children aged between six months and five years. They happen when the child has a fever caused by another illness, like tonsillitis or a viral infection. If a child suffers from febrile convulsions he or she isn't very likely to develop epilepsy in later life, although the risk is slightly raised. The condition often runs in families. How do doctors recognise childhood seizures?The diagnosis is usually based on a description of what has happened before, during and after the child's attack and their medical history. Sometimes, but not always, further tests are required, such as an electrical recording of the brain known as an EEG (electroencephalogram). A magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan of the brain may also be required, depending on the type of seizure and how often it occurs. For more information, please see the Bupa health factsheet MRI scan. What to do if your child has a fitBelow is advice on what to do if your child has a seizure. Generalised seizures
Partial seizures
Febrile seizures
TreatmentSelf-care action planWith the right equipment and safety precautions, most children who have epilepsy can take part in the same range of activities as other children. However, if seizures are frequent or difficult to control, which is unusual, there are some things you should consider.
You should make sure that those who look after your child, including yourself, teachers and older brothers and sisters, know what to do if your child has a seizure or fit. MedicinesFor children suffering from febrile convulsions rather than epilepsy, it is important that swings of body temperature are avoided. Prompt treatment with paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, along with other cooling measures, can help reduce the risk of such seizures when they are ill. For more information, please see the separate Bupa health factsheets Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs and Paracetamol. For the vast majority of children with epilepsy, the condition can be controlled by one anti-epileptic medication, which is usually taken two or three times everyday. Common side effects include drowsiness and rashes. If these occur, you should inform your doctor without delay. As many children grow out of their epilepsy, medication can be gradually reduced and stopped if the child has not had a fit for at least two years. You should discuss this with your child's epilepsy specialist before stopping any medications. Complementary therapyThere is little evidence to show that homoeopathic or herbal remedies help. However, older children who haven't responded to treatment may benefit from learning relaxation techniques or from cognitive behavioural therapy. What is the outcome of childhood seizures?Single seizures don't usually cause any long-term damage. Many children grow out of epilepsy, but some will require long-term treatment. For more information, please see the separate Bupa health factsheet Epilepsy. Further information
Sources
Reviewed by Dr James Quekett, Bsc.MB Ch.B MRCGP DRCOG DFFP, partner/principal general practitioner at Rowcroft Medical Centre. Published by Bupa's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, March 2007.
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