A child who has one seizure is not epileptic. Epilepsy causes many seizures.
Some children with epilepsy may not have a seizure every day. Other children
may have seizures many times a day.
What causes epilepsy?
The cause is not always known.
Sometimes it is related to a birth injury, brain tumor, or head injury.
It may also be related to poisoning, infection, brain development, or genes.
What are seizures?
Seizures are the most common symptom of epilepsy.
They change your child's consciousness (being alert and awake) or behavior
for a brief period.
What triggers seizures?
Every child is different.
Seizures happen suddenly. The child likely does not realize what is happening.
Seizures usually stop within a few seconds or a few minutes.
Seizures happen when nerve cells in the brain make a mistake in sending
signals.
Seizures can start when an epileptic hears the same sound over and over
again.
They can also start when seeing flashing lights or by touching certain body
parts.
What are the different kinds of seizures? Infants or young children with high fevers may shake and lose consciousness
for a few moments. These are called febrile seizures.
Most are harmless. They are not a sign of epilepsy. There are different types
of seizures your child might have if he is epileptic:
Generalized Seizures
Child loses consciousness.
He may cry out or fall.
There may be loss of bladder or bowel control.
His whole body may shake.
Absence Seizures
Child may stay awake during the seizure but it lasts for only a few
seconds so the loss of consciousness may be missed.
He may stare blankly and blink fast.
He may make chewing motions or his face may twitch.
Simple Partial Seizures
Child will stay awake.
It usually affects one body part.
Your child's arm, leg, or face may twitch.
He may have strange feelings in his body.
Complex Partial Seizure
Child will not stay awake.
He will lose touch with his surroundings.
He may stare blankly and blink.
After one or two minutes, he may move.
He may seem forgetful. For example, may pick at his clothing or try
to remove his clothes.
Who can get epilepsy?
Anyone can have epilepsy.
If a mother or father has epilepsy, their children are at higher risk for
epilepsy.
Other risks are birth injuries, developmental problems, and metabolic diseases.
50% of cases have no known cause.
Is epilepsy contagious?
No. Epilepsy is not contagious.
How is epilepsy treated?
If your child shows symptoms of epilepsy, call the doctor.
The doctor can test your child.
Each child will have to take different kinds of tests.
Treatment is different for each child.
Medication, surgery, or changes in diet may help control your child's seizures.
Some children can use a special electrical device to stop seizures.
Treatment aims to control the seizures to protect your child from falls
and injuries.
Seizures may make it hard for your child to learn at school. Treatment helps
your child to be able to learn.
With treatment, many children can live seizure-free lives.
What should I do when my child has a seizure?
The two most important things to do are 1)Make sure that your child is breathing
and 2)Keep your child from hurting himself.
Stay calm and follow a few simple steps:
Make sure your child is breathing. If his lips turn bluish, this is
a sign that he is not breathing.
Call for emergency help if your child is not breathing. If you know
CPR, give CPR while you wait.
If your child is breathing okay, move him to the floor or ground so
he doesn't fall.
Lay your child on his side to prevent choking.
Remove any objects near your child including tables and chairs.
Loosen clothes that your child is wearing.
Do not hold your child down or interfere with his movements.
Never put anything in your child's mouth during a seizure.
Call the doctor as soon as possible.
Your child will probably fall into a deep sleep after his seizure. This
is normal. Do not wake him up. Do not give him food or drink while he
is asleep.
How can I help?
If you think your child has epilepsy, keep a record of his seizures. Note
when they occur, how long they last, and what happens before, during, and
after. What parts of his body moved? Did he stay awake? These notes will help
the doctor.
Children with epilepsy have a right to special education services at school.
If your child has learning problems, talk to your child's doctors and teachers
about programs or classes that would help your child.
Talk to your child about his condition. Listen to his feelings. Help your
child understand what happens to his body. Focus on his abilities and strengths.
Teach your family and friends about epilepsy so they can give your child
support.
Before going to an appointment, take your child for a practice visit. This
will help your child feel more relaxed for his real appointment.
When should I call the doctor?
Epileptic women who want to have children should call the doctor before
they get pregnant.
Call the doctor if your child has symptoms of epilepsy.
Call the doctor if your child has more than one seizure.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Quick Answers
Epilepsy is neurological (brain) condition.
The cause is not always known. It is sometimes related to injury.
Seizures change your child's consciousness (being alert and awake) or behavior
for a brief period.
They happen when nerve cells in the brain make a mistake in sending signals.
There are different kinds of epileptic seizures. They affect different body
parts.
If a mother or father has epilepsy, their children are at higher risk for
epilepsy.
Epilepsy is not contagious.
Medication, surgery, or changes in diet may help control your child's seizures.
Some children can use a special electrical device.
Children with epilepsy have a right to receive special education services
at school. If your child has learning problems, talk to your child's doctors
and teachers.
Call the doctor if your child has more than one seizure.
References
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Epilepsy in Children:
Treatment Options. MayoClinic. 2001 January 8 (cited 2002 January 17). Available
from: URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ00627&printpage=true
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS Epilepsy
Information Page. 2001 July 1 (cited 2002 January 17). Available from: URL:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/epilepsy.htm
Rutherford K. Epileptic Seizures and Epilepsy. KidsHealth. 2001 October
(cited 2002 January 17). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=23028
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