Patient's question:
How can we improve myocardial nutrition? It seems the baby has been particularly willing to lie around and play recently, but is in good spirits. How can we prevent future fevers from causing convulsions in the baby? What medications should we keep at home?Age: 6 months
Onset and duration of this episode: Convulsions caused by fever (5 minutes), then developed viral myocarditis.
Current condition: The baby has been particularly willing to lie around and play recently, but is in good spirits.
Medical history: Premature by 1 month, but had not been hospitalized before and was in good health.
Doctor's answer:
A sudden onset of infantile convulsions indeed leaves parents flustered. Since convulsions are a medical emergency, prompt treatment is crucial. As parents, you are the primary implementers of emergency care. When a child experiences convulsions, first use your fingertips or acupuncture needles to press acupoints such as Renzhong (GV26), Baihui (GV20), Hegu (LI4), and Shixuan (SP10). Meanwhile, position the child on their side to prevent vomit from being aspirated into the airway, which could cause suffocation. For teething infants, during convulsions, the tight closure of their jaws may lead to tongue bites. Parents can use a tooth pad made from a chopstick or spoon handle wrapped in gauze, placed between the child's upper and lower teeth. If a tooth pad is not readily available, a folded handkerchief can serve as a temporary substitute. Never force open the child's mouth with your hand to avoid finger bites. After initial treatment, quickly transport the child to the nearest hospital. During the journey to the hospital, slightly tilt the child's head back to maintain clear airway passage. Also, loosen the child's clothing to facilitate heat dissipation and breathing.Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors will certainly administer strong sedative and antipyretic drugs via intramuscular or intravenous injection. After sedative administration, the child may fall asleep, but the antipyretic effects take time to take effect. To lower the body temperature quickly, supplementary physical cooling methods such as alcohol rubs or warm compresses must be used. Parents must cooperate with the doctors by loosening the child's clothing and applying alcohol to the forehead, neck, armpits, and groin. These areas are rich in major blood vessels, and alcohol rubs help dissipate heat rapidly, achieving quick cooling. Some children may experience chills during alcohol rubs, which is a normal reaction. Parents should not stop the procedure due to this. Physical cooling can only be stopped when the child's body temperature drops below 38.5°C.