How to Care for a Child With a Seizure Disorder

Nationwide, there are roughly 470,000 children with epilepsy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means in a school of 1,000 kids, about six of them may have epilepsy, a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.

A seizure, defined as a single occurrence of abnormal brain activity, can be terrifying for parents to witness. A seizure can look like many different things, but typically includes:

• Sudden stiffening of the body
• Loss of consciousness
• Staring
• Jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

If your child has been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, three key steps can help you ensure their safety:

1. First, make sure your child takes their seizure medication regularly. A missed dose could lead to more seizures, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. “We can often get control of seizures with medication, but we have to tailor it specifically to the individual and you have to be religious about taking it, says Richard Sultan, D.O., director of child neurology for in-patient services at Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
2. Second, make sure you know what to do during your child’s seizures. While there are different types of seizures, first aid may include supporting their head, keeping them on their side, timing the episode and not putting anything in their mouth.
3. Next, learn what triggers a seizure in your child and do your best to avoid it. For instance, lack of sleep can often trigger a seizure, so make sure your child goes to bed on time and gets adequate sleep.

Other things you can do to help keep your child safe include:

• Using a baby monitor in their room at night to watch for seizures during their sleep
• Making sure babysitters and caretakers know seizure first aid
• Encouraging kids who are old enough to bathe alone to take showers instead of baths to prevent the risk of drowning

The key is to stay vigilant and regularly communicate with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tweak medications if necessary, but they’ll need you to provide them with accurate information in order to do so.

Also remember: Children are extremely resilient, Dr. Sultan says.

“Many adults may take longer to recover after a seizure,” he says. “But kids often recover so much more quickly.”

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.