Patient's question:
Main symptoms: During recurrence, the child loses consciousness, experiences, eyes rolling up, jaw clenched, head retracted backward.Onset time: July 24
Laboratory test results: Blood test results are normal
Doctor's answer:
Seizures are common emergencies in children, particularly in infants and toddlers. They are caused by various factors or underlying conditions that disrupt brain nerve function, manifesting as sudden tonic-clonic convulsions of the entire body or localized muscle groups, often accompanied by loss of consciousness. The incidence of seizures in children is high, with approximately 5-6% of children experiencing one or more episodes. Frequent recurrence or prolonged seizures can be life-threatening or result in severe sequelae, affecting a child's intellectual development and overall health.Common diseases that can cause seizures include: febrile seizures, intracranial infections, toxic encephalopathy, infantile spasms, hypoglycemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemic tetany, among others.
Guidance for Parents:
When a child experiences a seizure, parents often become extremely anxious and rush them to the hospital emergency room. However, most seizures subside within one to two minutes. By the time the child arrives at the hospital, the seizure may already have stopped, and consciousness may have returned to normal. Therefore, if a seizure recurs, immediate measures should be taken to prevent prolonged seizure activity, which could lead to hypoxic brain injury in the child. This is especially critical for newborns, as it can cause severe brain damage. If the child has recurrent or prolonged seizures, they should be transported to the hospital immediately for treatment.
Before seeking medical attention, parents should follow these steps:
1. Maintain calmness and avoid unnecessary stimuli. Lay the child down, unbutton their clothes, and loosen any tight belts to help them relax. Position the child’s head flat and turn their face to one side to prevent vomiting or secretions from causing choking. If the seizure occurs in a difficult-to-access location, first move the child to a safer place before proceeding.
2. Gently massage the child’s hands and feet alternately while observing whether their eyes are fixed or their limbs are stiff.
3. Prevent physical injuries, especially biting the tongue. You can wrap a towel around a pencil or toothbrush and place it between the child’s teeth. If the child’s jaw is clenched tightly, avoid forcing anything into their mouth.
4. Prevent choking. Clear any secretions from the child’s mouth and airway promptly to maintain respiratory.
5. Apply firm pressure to the child’s GV26 (Renzhong) point (slightly above the center of the philtrum) with the thumb; this may help stop the seizure quickly. However, avoid excessive force to prevent further injury.
6. Do not self-medicate with fever-reducing drugs if the cause is unknown. Self-medication may mask the condition, making it harder for doctors to diagnose correctly. If the child’s temperature is kept below 39°C, most cases can be managed at home.
Daily Care:
Parents should be vigilant. If a child’s fever reaches 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication should be administered immediately. If seizure-like symptoms appear, the child should be laid flat with their body turned to one side to prevent the tongue from falling back and obstructing the airway. A towel or cloth can be placed between the child’s teeth to prevent tongue-biting. A cold towel can be applied to the head, or acupressure at the Hegu (LI4) point or fingernail pressure on the GV26 point may help stop the seizure. The child should then be rushed to the hospital for treatment. Immediate medical attention is required.