Patient's question:
Main symptoms: During recurrence, the child loses consciousness, experiences, eyes rolling up, jaw clenched, head retracted backwards. 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 long-term sequelae, affecting intellectual development and overall health.Common diseases that can cause seizures include: high fever seizures, intracranial infections, toxic encephalopathy, infantile spasms, hypoglycemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemic tetany, among others.
Guidance for Parents:
When a child has a seizure, parents often become extremely anxious and rush them to the emergency room. However, most seizures subside within one or two minutes. By the time they arrive at the hospital, the seizure may already have stopped, and the child’s 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 seizures can cause severe brain damage. If the child experiences recurrent or prolonged seizures, they should be taken to the hospital immediately.
Before seeking medical attention, parents should follow these steps:
1. Stay calm 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 with their face turned to one side to prevent choking from vomit or secretions. If the seizure occurs in a difficult-to-access location, first move the child to a safer place before proceeding.
2. Gently stroke the child’s hands and feet alternately while observing if their eyes are staring or if their limbs are stiff.
3. Prevent physical injuries, especially biting the tongue. You can place a cloth-wrapped pencil or toothbrush between the child’s teeth. If the child’s jaw is clenched tightly, avoid forcing anything into their mouth.
4. Prevent choking. Clear the child’s mouth and airway of secretions to maintain respiratory.
5. Press the child’s GV26 (Renzhong acupoint, slightly above the center of the philtrum) with the thumb—this may help stop the seizure quickly, but avoid excessive force to prevent further injury.
6. Do not self-medicate with fever reducers if the cause is unknown, as this may mask the condition and hinder proper diagnosis. If the child’s temperature is kept below 39°C, most cases can be managed at home.
Daily Care:
Parents should be vigilant—immediately administer fever reducers if the child’s temperature reaches 38.5°C, and place them in a side-lying position if seizure signs appear to prevent airway obstruction from the tongue falling back or secretions. A cloth or handkerchief can be placed between the child’s teeth to prevent tongue-biting. Apply a cold cloth to the head, use acupressure on the Hegu point (LI4), or pinch the GV26 point to stop the seizure, then rush the child to the hospital for treatment. Immediate medical attention is required.