Coping with Seizures in Children

About 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their life. Children who have seizures may have only one and never have another. Other children may have seizures once in a while, or many times a day. And though seizures can be scary for parents and caregivers, they aren't painful and are usually brief.

A convulsive seizure is also known as a major motor seizure or a grand mal seizure. If your child shows signs of having this type of seizure:

• Stay calm.
• Make sure the child is breathing.
• Roll the child onto their side.
• Place the child on the ground in a safe area.
• Remove any nearby objects that the child might hit.
• Loosen any clothing around the child's head and neck.
• Remain with your child until the seizure is over.

Watch and be able to describe what happened before, during, and after the seizure. Try to look at a watch or clock to know how long the seizure lasts.

If your child has medicine to stop a seizure while it happens, make sure you know how to use it.

If your child has a vagus nerve stimulator to treat seizures, follow the instructions you were given to activate it.

• Don't try to restrain the child's movements.
• Don't put anything in the child's mouth.
• Don't wake the child if they fall asleep after the seizure.
• Don't give the child anything to eat or drink until they are awake and alert.

• Develop a list of safety measures with your doctor to prevent injury to your child when they have a seizure.
• Carefully watch activities such as swimming and bathing to keep your child safe in the case of a seizure.
• Tell other caretakers of your child's condition. Instruct them on how to respond to a seizure if it happens.
• If your child is on medicine, make sure they take it as prescribed.
• Keep track of the number of remaining pills and refills. Call your doctor for refills if they are running low.
• Talk with your doctor about when and if it will be safe for your child to learn to drive and get a driver's license.

Call 911 if your child:

• Has trouble breathing.
• Has bluish skin.
• Has a heart condition.
• Hurts themselves during the seizure.
• Has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes.
• Has a seizure that seems different than usual.
• Remains unconscious, unresponsive, or confused for more than 5 minutes after the seizure.