Child health

Patient information for Translation

First seizure for children

(without temperature)

What is a seizure?

Watching your child have a seizure is a very frightening experience. However seizures are not as serious as they look. A seizure (also called a ‘fit’, an ‘attack’, a ‘convulsion’ or a ‘turn’) is a sudden, brief disruption of normal brain activity, which causes messages from the brain to be temporarily halted or jumbled. There are different types of seizures depending on where the abnormal electrical activity occurs in the brain.

Does my child have epilepsy?

A single seizure does not mean your child has epilepsy. This may be the only seizure that your child ever has. If your child has further seizures, they may require further investigation and/or treatment.

Will my child have another seizure?

If a child has had a seizure, there is a risk that it will happen again. Most children do not need further investigations or treatment. There is currently no evidence that treatment prevents subsequent epilepsy. It is rare that a seizure will lead to a serious problem. If they do happen again, most recurrences occur within one or two years of the initial seizure.

How can I keep my child safe?

It is important to let your child take part in all their normal activities. However, they will need to be adequately supervised when bathing, swimming, cycling and cooking. For example, it is best if your child does not lock the bathroom door when bathing. Climbing trees and heights should be avoided.

If your child has another seizure:

DO

• stay calm
• stay with your child
• note the time of seizure
• make sure that your child is safe from injury (remove harmful objects)
• cushion their head and gently lift their chin to open their airway
• if possible, gently roll your child onto their side
• if the seizure is still continuing after 5 minutes call an ambulance

DO NOT

• panic
• move your child to another place, unless in danger • restrict your child’s movements
• place anything in their mouth
• give anything by mouth until fully recovered

Call an ambulance 999 if:

• at any time you are concern
• if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
• if one seizure follows another
• if your child is injured or you are concerned about their breathing
• you believe they need medical attention
• If you have not call the ambulance because the seizure is short lived, you are advised to inform your  child’s GP.

www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/AboutEpilepsy/Firstaid/10firstaidstepswhensomeonehasaseizure

Whom should I inform?

It is good idea to inform other people know that your child has had a seizure ( such as family, friends, your child’s teacher, nursery or child-minder) so that they can learn what to do if you child has another seizure.

What if it happens at night and I am not aware of it?

Often a child having a seizure will disturb someone at some point by making noises; however you may initially feel more comfortable leaving the bedroom doors open.

What happen now?

Your child will be seen by a Paediatrician at children outpatient clinic. If your child suffers from another seizure please follow the above advice and seek medical attention.

Useful resources

NHS Direct: 08456084455 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Epilepsy Action: www.epilepsy.org.uk

National Society for Epilepsy: www.epilepsysociety.org.uk

Large print and other languages
This information can be made available in alternative formats, such as easy read or large print, and may be available in alternative languages, upon request. For more information, speak to your clinical team.
 

এই তথ্যগুলো সহজে পড়া যায় অথবা বৃহৎ প্রিন্টের মত বিকল্প ফরম্যাটে পাওয়া যাবে, এবং অনুরোধে অন্য ভাষায়ও পাওয়া যেতে পারে। আরো তথ্যের জন্য আপনার ক্লিনিক্যাল টিমের সাথে কথা বলুন।

Na żądanie te informacje mogą zostać udostępnione w innych formatach, takich jak zapis większą czcionką lub łatwą do czytania, a także w innych językach. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, porozmawiaj ze swoim zespołem specjalistów.

Macluumaadkaan waxaa loo heli karaa qaab kale, sida ugu akhrinta ugu fudud, ama far waa weyn, waxana laga yabaa in lagu heli luuqaado Kale, haddii la codsado. Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah, kala hadal kooxda xarunta caafimaadka.

Bu bilgi, kolay okunurluk veya büyük baskılar gibi alternatif biçimlerde sunulabilir, ve talep üzerine Alternatif Dillerde sunulabilir. Daha fazla bilgi için klinik ekibinizle irtibata geçin.

یہ معلومات متبادل فارمیٹس میں دستیاب کی جا سکتی ہیں، جیسا کہ پڑھنے میں آسان یا بڑا پرنٹ  اور درخواست پر متبادل زبانوں میں بھی دستیاب ہو سکتی ہیں۔ مزید معلومات کے لیے، اپنی کلینکل ٹیم سے بات کریں'۔

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Please contact us if you need general information or advice about Trust services: www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/pals

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Reference: BH/PIN/714

Publication date: Nov 2017

All our patient information leaflets are reviewed every three years.

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