Convulsions and Seizures in Children: Symptoms, Remedies, Treatment

They are commonly called fits or seizures. An abnormality of the electrical impulses in the brain is called convulsions.

Symptoms

The child may show some small repetitive movements or simply stare into space.
The child may just fall and make some jerky movements.
The child may become quite stiff and salivate.
The skin may assume a dusky blue color and there maybe moaning noises.
When the jerking stops the child will have drowsiness for a while and will appear confused.
Most fits end within a minute.

In epilepsy the fits occur repeatedly at varying frequencies. A machine called electroencephalogram helps measure electrical activity in the brain.

A lot of drugs are now available to treat epilepsy. When the child is treated well the fits may stop altogether. Epilepsy can be hereditary.

For first time onlookers fits will appear frightening. Do not panic maintain your calm if you are the only person around with the patient.
If the child is epileptic he should always be accompanied by someone.
He should always be kept away from dangerous objects. Because during a fit an epileptic kid would not be able to move away.
Do not put anything into the mouth or hold the tongue.
Call the doctor if the child has had its first attack of fits.
Call the doctor if the fit stops but starts again after some time OR if the child continues to fit for more than one minute.
The child should be moved to the recovering position if the jerking stops.

Move the child on to their side into recovery position.
Remove obstructions from the mouth if there are any.
Tilt the baby’s head back gently to keep airway open.
Limbs should be straightened. The baby’s arm nearest to you should be tucked under the child’s body, so that the open palm is under the upper thigh.
The baby’s arm farthest from you should be stretched across the body, and the back of this hand should be held against the child’s cheek. Then with your other hand grasp the leg furthest and bend it at the knee, keeping the foot flat on the ground.
The child’s hand should remain on their cheek. Now pull the bent leg towards you and roll the victim onto their side.
The top leg should remain bent, with the hip and knee at right angles to the body. Pull the underneath arm out behind the child to prevent rolling back.

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