Causes of seizures in a child with and without fever, how to treat, what to do with febrile seizures? What are febrile seizures? Epileptic seizures in children.

Seizures in children should always be taken very seriously and the cause should be determined as quickly as possible. The likelihood of diagnosis depends on the age at which the first seizures appeared.

Seizures in newborns

In newborns, most often immature, short twitching of the limbs, rigidity, and conjugation are often observed. eyeballs due to anoxia during childbirth, leading to cerebral edema and microhemorrhages. In full-term infants, especially those with a large body weight, this condition may be a sign of massive hemorrhage as a result of hypoxic brain damage. Symptoms of massive hemorrhage: unilateral convulsions, drowsiness, hemorrhages in the fundus, centrally caused breathing disorders during normal lungs and a healthy heart, blood-stained cerebrospinal fluid.

Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemic seizures most often occur in children with intrauterine dystrophy, in children from mothers suffering from overt diabetes or prodiabetes, and can also occur with Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome ( umbilical hernia- microglossia - gigantism).

Leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia(Cochran's syndrome). When diagnosing the cause of seizures in newborns, it is very important to take into account the relationship between food intake and severe hypoglycemic, treatment-resistant, generalized tonic-clonic seizures or attacks of atonia. In early infancy, symptoms can be varied. Prolonged attacks of screaming, lack of appetite, and vomiting give rise to various assumptions if the blood sugar level is not determined during an attack. Fasting hypoglycemia is also common. If the disease is not diagnosed in time, the prognosis is poor because without a diet low in leucine, permanent damage to the central nervous system is inevitable.

Galactosemia. The cause of attacks of hypoglycemic convulsions in connection with milk feeding in combination with prolonged jaundice and hepatomegaly is easier to diagnose if the possibility of erased forms (galactokinase deficiency) is not taken into account.

Fructose intolerance. Hypoglycemic state of shock up to seizures immediately after eating fructose-containing foods (vegetables, cane sugar, milk with cane sugar, fruit juices, carrot). Blood sugar levels are sharply reduced.

Hypocalcemia. Develops in newborns and children in the first months of life who are breastfed cow's milk, rich in phosphates, since insufficient excretion of phosphates by the kidneys leads to reactive hypocalcemia. The diagnosis of hypocalcemic seizures during the treatment of rickets, usually in the spring after taking vitamin D, is not difficult, since symptoms of rickets are present, the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the serum is increased and latent spasmophilia is determined.

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Tonic and tonic-clonic convulsions in a child are usually not the only symptom. DiGeorge syndrome is characterized by hypoplasia of tooth enamel, brittle nails, cataracts already in the 1st year of life, severe lymphopenia and immunity disorders caused by thymic aplasia, persistent thrush, recurrent diarrhea and infections, hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia due to insufficiency of the parathyroid glands.

There are also other forms of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, in which, along with hypocalcemia and tetany, growth retardation, mental retardation, and shortening of the metacarpal bones of the III-V fingers (the index finger is the longest) may occur. This is typical for the so-called pseudohypoparathyroidism - a genetically determined disease in which parathyroid glands are anatomically normal, but the target tissues do not respond to the hormone, since these patients have only one unsaturated bond in the cyclic AMP molecule. Pseudohypoparathyroidism is differentiated from hypoparathyroidism based on the Ellsworth-Howard test: in patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism, exogenous administration of parathyroid hormone is not accompanied by an increase in phosphate excretion.

Other causes of seizures
Hypomagnesemia. If infant with convulsions and hypocalcemia is resistant to treatment with calcium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone, the level of magnesium should be determined, which in children can be reduced due to poor or poor nutrition, malabsorption, after surgery, during the period of convalescence after diabetic coma, with cirrhosis of the liver and damage to the renal tubules. In some cases, hypomagnesemia is a congenital property, the genesis of which is unknown.

Pyridoxine-dependent seizures. They appear already in the first hours or days of life and are difficult to treat. After excluding the above diseases, 5-10 mg of vitamin B6 should be administered parenterally; at positive effect convulsions stop after 5-15 minutes. There is a predisposition to seizures in children whose mothers were intensively treated with vitamin B6 during pregnancy. A high need for the vitamin may be a hereditary metabolic abnormality. The EEG shows nonspecific changes, as in many convulsive conditions in infants, but between attacks children are restless, they have myoclonic reactions in response to acoustic or mechanical stimulation, blinking and uncoordinated eye movements. Pyridoxine dependence should be distinguished from pyridoxine deficiency syndrome, which in infants develops on a diet extremely poor in vitamin B6 and also manifests itself increased irritability, fearfulness and convulsions. In this case, convulsions are accompanied gastrointestinal disorders. The EEG shows convulsive activity, and the tryptophan load increases the excretion of xanthurenic acid in the urine (in contrast to the pyridoxine dependence syndrome described above, in which the level of xanthurenic acid excretion does not change).

Tetanus. Nowadays, in civilized countries, the possibility of tetanus in newborns and children in the first months of life is no longer remembered, even if, along with the usual tetanic and clonic convulsive seizures, typical opisthotonus or trismus appears. Tonic spasm of the facial muscles, muscles of the back of the head, back and areas innervated by cranial nerves, unusually high muscle tone (up to mild meningismus) should alert you and make you look for the entrance gate of infection, which most often is the umbilical wound.

Water-electrolyte imbalance. In newborns and infants, seizures are most often caused by pronounced fluctuations in osmolarity associated with exacerbation and rehydration. This applies to both hypertensive exicosis with hypernatremia and hypotonic dehydration, especially hyponatremia. With inaccurately balanced infusion therapy, severe cramps, leading to persistent neurological disorders, even if corrective measures are carried out very quickly.

Seizures in children older than 6 months

Febrile seizures. In children mainly aged 2-4 years with viral infection shortly before the temperature rises, when it rises or at altitude temperature reaction short-term convulsions appear. The EEG was unchanged during and after seizures. Febrile seizures do not occur in children under 6 months of age and over 4 years of age. Recurrence of the seizure more than 3 times on the same day or on subsequent days or with other infections, focal or predominantly unilateral seizures, postconvulsive paresis and abnormal EEG argue against febrile seizures. If the convulsive syndrome appears against the background of cerebral disorders or the family history is aggravated by epilepsy, then the diagnosis of febrile seizures should be treated with caution. An indication of febrile seizures in a family member of the child confirms the diagnosis. If not full confidence(and it cannot be in the 1st year of life), a lumbar puncture must be done to exclude the diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis.

Tetany. At any age, seizures can be a symptom of poisoning. Violation of the water-electrolyte balance can also cause seizures in children older than 6 months. Hereditary metabolic pathology can also manifest itself at this age as convulsive syndrome.

Acute childhood hemiplegia. Cerebral hemorrhages and blockage of cerebral vessels are observed already in the 1st year of life. They manifest themselves as suddenly occurring unilateral and then generalized convulsions, which may be accompanied by fever and impaired consciousness and leave persistent unilateral paralysis. Right-sided paralysis can be combined with aphasia (in right-handed people). Reasons: birth defects vessels, hemangioma, arteriovenous aneurysms, congenital miliary aneurysms, blockage of the middle cerebral arteries or their branches due to embolism in heart defects with a right-to-left shunt, endocarditis or stenosis of the aortic isthmus, venous thrombosis in exicosis and severe infections, abscesses, complications of thrombocytopenic purpura, sickle cell anemia, lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa, or homocystinuria. Fleeting recurrent hemiparesis, sometimes combined with focal convulsions, occur with fibromuscular hyperplasia of the cerebral arteries, which is confirmed only by repeated angiography.

Uremic and pseudouremic eclampsia. Since eclamptic, pseudouremic seizures in children sometimes occur initial symptom acute nephritis, do not forget to measure blood pressure. Convulsions with the development of massive edema at the height of nephrotic syndrome do not present diagnostic difficulties.

Syncopal seizures. Observed in children starting from 4 years of age, but most often in puberty. As a rule, these are mentally conditioned vagovasal reflex reactions with vasomotor collapse, which is accompanied short-term loss consciousness, sometimes short generalized tonic-clonic convulsions (possibly involuntary urination). Concomitant or preceding vegetative manifestations are diagnostically important: sweating, coldness of the extremities, paleness, hyperventilation, the corresponding situation (waiting for an injection, etc.). In each case, it is necessary to measure blood pressure and examine cardiac function (Schellong test in a standing position, ECG), since arrhythmias, especially paroxysmal tachycardia, can cause seizures. Syncopal seizures caused by cardiac dysfunction are characterized by the absence of warning vegetative symptoms.

Brain tumors. Sudden convulsions in children may be the first symptom of a massive process and are not only focal in nature. First of all, it is necessary to exclude tumors cerebral hemispheres, which account for about 30% of brain tumors in children. The closer to the cerebral cortex and the region of the anterior central gyrus they are located, the more often they provoke mild seizures. With these slow-growing tumors, seizures are the only symptom, so if, with each new attack, studies are not carried out using echoencephalography, angiography, scintigraphy, computed tomography, the tumor will not be detected for a long time. Half of brain tumors in children are localized in the posterior cranial fossa(40% - cerebellar tumors, 15% - brain stem tumors). At the beginning of the development of tumors there are never seizures. Only a progressive increase in intracranial pressure due to blockage of the water supply causes seizures. Typical tonic extensor spasms (cerebellar seizures) also appear in late stages when the diagnosis has usually already been made.

Brain abscess. An abscess located in the brain area causes seizures, remaining undiagnosed, since the inflammatory changes are often moderate (only minor changes in the blood picture are observed, ESR decreases, intracranial pressure does not increase).

Children with a right-to-left shunt as a result of congenital heart defects, patients with bronchiectasis, and those who have had staphylococcal meningitis are predisposed to brain abscess.

Pseudotumor of the brain. The diagnosis is very difficult to make. Focal seizures, worsening headache, vomiting, signs of increased intracranial pressure are not specific symptoms malignant process, as well as stagnant nipple and radiologically confirmed suture dehiscence. This is the same clinical picture of pseudotumor cerebri. Differential diagnosis always requires intensive diagnostic measures(electroencephalography and echoencephalography, X-ray examination, scintigraphy, angiography, computed tomography). If all studies are normal, a pseudotumor cerebri can be suspected, the cause of which is limited obstruction of blood flow due to obstruction of the outflow of venous blood, observed in otitis media with sinus thrombosis, limited encephalitis or adhesive arachnoiditis. Only with long-term observation can the correct diagnosis be confirmed.

Psychogenic seizures
Respiratory spasms associated with affect. Convulsions occur in children starting from the end of the 1st year of life and no later than the 4th year of life. The onset of an attack associated with mild trauma or inflammatory events is required to be affectively colored. The child screams, then there is a short cessation of breathing, reaching deep cyanosis with tonic-clonic twitching, which slowly fades with the resumption of breathing. Respiratory arrest may be accompanied by syncopal collapse with severe pallor. Other forms of affective convulsions also begin with a strong mental affect. After initial hyperventilation, the child screams continuously, without inhaling, until deep cyanosis develops, sometimes with an increase in muscle tone up to opisthotonus. Then tonic-clonic convulsions occur. Respiratory convulsions associated with affect are caused by hypoxia, but between attacks the EOG is normal.

Hysterical attack. Seizures of this kind occur in children starting from school age. They are easy to recognize, since they involve demonstrative actions, and the attack itself is in the nature of imitation. As a rule, the frequency of twitching does not reach the frequency of true clonic seizures, and when simulating tonic seizures, worm-like movements are performed with a clear increase in their intensity at the moment of observation. At the same time, there are also no autonomic symptoms true convulsive seizure (pale face covered with sweat, drooling, tongue biting, involuntary urination and, as a rule, injury from a fall). If injury does occur, this does not necessarily indicate against a psychogenic attack, nor does transient disorientation in space and time or subsequent sleep. Hysteria is characterized by particularly prolonged “convulsive states”, remaining hysterical “paralysis” or “contractures”, without corresponding reflex abnormalities. The picture of brain biocurrents is normal even during attacks.

Hyperventilation tetany. Most typical for children during puberty. As a rule, it is caused by an effort of will or fear; it is accompanied by palpitations, paresthesias and respiratory alkalosis. The rapid success of breathing into a plastic bag without fresh air confirms the diagnosis. Hyperventilation alkalosis with tetanic seizures can also be observed with encephalitis, especially if the process is localized in the brain stem.

Epilepsy. If psychogenic "epilepsy" is excluded, only chronic recurrent cerebral epilepsy remains. It is necessary to try clinically and electroencephalographically to make a classification, taking into account the patient's age, type of seizures, their frequency and course, EEG data, treatment effectiveness and possible etiology. This could be due to the following reasons:

1) idiopathic cryptogenic epilepsy;

2) residual epilepsy as a result of brain damage in early childhood, kernicterus, trauma, inflammation, hemorrhage, encephalomalacia, developmental abnormalities of the central nervous system.

Neurometabolic diseases. The diagnosis of epilepsy is based on the child’s age at the first seizure, the nature of the seizures, and changes in the EEG. In most cases, establishing final diagnosis possible only with dynamic observation. If seizures appear already in infancy, these are usually propulsive petit mal seizures; if they are observed for the first time in young children, one should look for signs of a myoclonic petit mal seizure; If a school-age child falls ill, then we're talking about usually about pycnolepsy (retropulsive petit mal seizure), and in puberty - about impulsive petit mal seizure and awakening grand mal seizure. Age-based diagnosis is complicated by the fact that the first seizures (grand mal seizure, grand mal seizure in sleep, focal seizures, psychomotor seizures) may be the onset of an age-independent epileptic disease.

Finally, the combination of different types of seizures (eg, grand mal seizure and psychomotor or focal) makes classification difficult convulsive conditions according to the acute picture and flow.

Focal seizures (Jacksonian epilepsy) are most easily recognized, which are confirmed by the detection of focal (sometimes multifocal) seizure activity on the EEG taken during the interictal period. In most cases, these are residual effects after injury, inflammation or hemorrhage.

Most neurometabolic diseases at one stage or another are manifested by epileptic seizures. At known diagnosis the underlying disease, the classification diagnosis of seizures is not difficult. In case of etiologically unclear seizures and the appearance of signs of developmental delay, the possibility of metabolic disorders, primarily amino acid metabolism, should be excluded. A clear classification and etiological diagnosis of chronic recurrent seizures is the basis for successful antiepileptic therapy.

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Seizures in children are not uncommon. This is due to hereditary characteristics nerve cells, immaturity of the brain and central nervous system. An important role was played by the increased number of successfully cared for children who in previous centuries simply did not live to see seizures, children from emergency CS due to placental abruption, premature babies weighing less than 1.5 kg. Thus, today approximately every 50th child suffers from the syndrome, and more than half of all cases occur in the first three years of life.

Convulsions: description of symptoms and types

Cramps are involuntary muscle contractions. Of course, experts know what to do in this case. But when this happens to a child, parents and adults who are nearby can become confused. This spectacle is not for the faint of heart, so you need to know how you can help your baby. First aid will be discussed further. Now let's look at the types of seizures in children.

Tonic is prolonged muscle tension or spasm. The child may throw back his head, strain and stretch lower limbs, turn your palms outward, spread your arms. In some cases, difficulty breathing with cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle and redness of the face is characteristic. Clonic - fast, usually 1-3 twitches occur per second.

According to localization and distribution, clonic seizures can be focal, myoclonic, tonic-clonic or fragmentary. Focal ones are characterized by twitching of the arms and legs, parts of the face. Myoclonic are contractions of a specific muscle or group of muscles.

Fragmentary convulsions are characterized by nodding of the head, flexion of the limbs, eye symptoms, loss of consciousness or cessation (significant difficulty) of breathing may occur. Tonic-clonic are distinguished by alternating contractions and increased tone muscles.

Epileptic convulsions

Doctors divide all seizures in children into epileptic and non-epileptic, and the latter can “grow” into the former over time. Only a specialist can make a diagnosis of epilepsy after carefully studying the child’s medical record. At the same time, attention is paid not only to the possible causes of convulsive syndrome and risk factors, but also to whether there are hereditary predisposition to seizures. If there is no unfavorable heredity, the child’s central nervous system is normal, there is no electroencephalogram characteristic changes, then doctors refrain from making an accurate diagnosis of “epilepsy”, considering the seizures to be non-epileptic.

Non-epileptic seizures

Such seizures occur relatively often in children. A seizure can be caused by many factors. As a rule, convulsive syndrome is observed in infants, but older babies can also suffer from it, for example, when high temperature And infectious diseases. Let us first consider the causes of seizures in a child in the first month of life:

• birth trauma (brain hemorrhage, tissue damage);
• low level sugar (hypoglycemic cramps);
• oxygen starvation which leads to cerebral edema;
• low content zinc in the blood of a newborn (fifth day convulsions);
• toxic effects of bilirubin on the central nervous system (hemolytic disease);
• calcium metabolism disorder (spasmophilia, or tetanic convulsions);
• violation of the metabolism of vitamin B6, or pyridoxine;
• congenital heart defects and diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• (occur rarely, approximately 10% of all cases);
• mother's use of alcohol, drugs, and some medicines(withdrawal seizures).

The risk group includes premature babies born as a result of emergency caesarean section.

The first to occur are convulsions caused by birth trauma or asphyxia. The syndrome develops in the first eight hours of a baby's life. With low sugar levels (hypoglycemic cramps), the symptom is accompanied by sweating, restless behavior, hyperactivity and breathing problems. Such convulsions appear in the first two days.

Fifth day seizures occur between the third and seventh day of an infant's life. What do seizures look like in a child? These are short-term twitches, shudders, nods of the head, curling and clenching of fingers, a “spasm” of looking up, which can be repeated up to forty times a day. If the symptom is accompanied by jaundice, then we can talk about convulsions due to hemolytic disease.

Convulsions due to asphyxia of newborns

The most common cause of seizures in infants is suffocation, or asphyxia. The symptom manifests itself as a result of circulatory disorders, due to a lack of oxygen in tissues and organs, excess carbon dioxide. In most cases, this phenomenon leads to pinpoint hemorrhages in the brain and swelling. The newborn needs immediate medical care, since prolonged stay in this state can cause brain atrophy and irreversible pathological changes.

Convulsions in children with oxygen deprivation occur if childbirth occurs with complications, for example, if placental abruption occurs, the umbilical cord wraps around the neck, water breaks too early, birth process overextends. In this case, the alarming symptoms will stop almost immediately as soon as the child is removed from the state of oxygen starvation. In this case, cerebral edema goes away, and the newborn’s condition gradually normalizes.

Convulsions due to birth trauma

Why does my child have seizures? With birth trauma, this happens due to hemorrhages in the brain. Usually they are local in nature, accompanied by spasms of the facial muscles. Often in this case, cramps occur in the child’s legs. It may also be observed general weakness in the muscles, concussions of the whole body are possible. Usually, this causes cyanosis of the skin (especially the face), difficulty breathing, and vomiting may occur.

If the internal bleeding that opens is not stopped in time, then convulsions may not be noticed immediately, but only on the fourth or fifth day after birth. This will be the result of an expanding hematoma. As a rule, such convulsions occur in a child without fever. They may appear later, for example, after two to three months. This happens due to adhesive process, cyst formation, scarring. The triggering factor for a seizure may be a preventive vaccination, injury or disease.

During infectious diseases

Quite often, children experience convulsions with fever. Moreover, not only children with birth trauma or respiratory failure suffer, but also completely healthy and full-term infants. This occurs due to the toxicity of the virus and the general weakening of the body against the background of fever; the condition negatively affects the central nervous system.

Often, convulsions in a child at a high temperature appear against the background of the acute phase of ARVI or influenza, with active rashes of measles, chicken pox and rubella. Tension of the whole body, which is accompanied by cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure, can occur against the background of encephalitis and other neuroinfections. As a rule, convulsions in a child at a high temperature go away when their health status returns to normal.

Other causes of seizures

Often, seizures in young children may appear in response to a preventive vaccination. This is especially a problem for infants who have suffered asphyxia, emergency C-section, birth injuries, diathesis (exudative). For children who have a high degree of convulsive readiness, preventive vaccinations are contraindicated.

An equally pressing problem that can occur in a child or during wakefulness is various metabolic disorders. At the same time, there is a lack of calcium, magnesium, potassium in the body, and convulsions are manifested by distortion of facial expression.

Thus, the most common causes of seizures in children in infancy are birth injuries, asphyxia during childbirth, too long a labor process, early breaking of water, and so on. If the convulsive syndrome appeared against the background of viral or other diseases, but after curing the underlying disease did not disappear, then it is necessary to show the child to a pediatrician to exclude the development of epilepsy.

Signs of seizures at fever

During seizures, the child does not react to the words of the parents, actions, loses contact with the outside world, stops screaming and crying. You may experience blue skin, difficulty breathing, or holding your breath.

An infant may throw back his head, then the constant tension of the whole body is gradually replaced by short-term twitches, which gradually fade away. Limbs may twitch, eyes may roll, convulsions with sudden muscle relaxation are possible, involuntary bowel movements and urination.

Such convulsions rarely last more than fifteen minutes. In some cases, the symptom may occur in series of one or two minutes, but goes away on its own. If a child has seizures with a fever, what should you do? Parents' actions should be consistent and calm. What exactly should we do? Read below.

First aid for a child with seizures

What help should parents provide to a child with seizures? First of all, you need to call an ambulance. The child is placed on a flat surface on his side so that the head and chest are in line. Cannot be moved cervical region spine. It is important to lay the baby down so that he does not fall. There should be no objects around that could cause injury. It is necessary to free the baby's chest and neck from tight clothing and ensure free breathing.

The room should be ventilated optimal temperature- approximately 20 degrees Celsius. There is no need to forcibly restrain the child from involuntary movements, you cannot unclench his jaws, or insert a finger, spoon or any other object into his mouth.

If your child has seizures for the first time, you should not refuse hospitalization. At a minimum, it is necessary to show the baby to a doctor as soon as possible after an attack; it is worth contacting not only a pediatrician, but also a neurologist. The specialist will offer a number of studies, including biochemical and clinical trials blood, EEG to determine the causes of seizures.

Treatment of seizures at fever

If convulsions at a child’s temperature occur rarely and last no more than 15 minutes, then no special treatment no need to carry out. It is enough to cool the baby’s body with any accessible ways(sampling with a weak vinegar solution, a cold towel on the forehead and armpits, inguinal folds, bends under the elbows and knees).

After the attack stops, you need to give an antipyretic. For frequent and prolonged seizures, you will need to administer anticonvulsants intravenously, but the need for this will be determined by your doctor. Phenobarbital, Diazepam or Lorazepam may also be prescribed.

A child with seizures should not be left alone. During an attack, you should not give any medications, water, or food to avoid suffocation.

Stopping a seizure

What to do if a child has seizures? Emergency doctors can administer intravenous glucose solution (25%) at a dosage of 4 ml per kilogram of weight, vitamin B6, or pyridoxine (50 g), Phenobarbital intravenously (10 to 30 mg per kilogram of weight), magnesium solution (50%) 0.2 ml per kilogram, calcium gluconate solution (2 ml per kilogram of weight).

Epileptic seizures in children

IN childhood Epilepsy is quite common, but its diagnosis is difficult. Children's body is characterized by an increased threshold for seizure activity, but most often seizures develop that are not actually associated with epilepsy. Due to these difficulties, doctors are in no hurry to diagnose children with epilepsy.

The most common causes of this disease in children preschool age are:

1. Heredity. Scientists are increasingly expressing the opinion that it is not the disease itself that can be acquired from parents, but only a predisposition to it. Each person has a certain convulsive status unique to him. The realization of a predisposition depends on many factors.
2. Brain development disorders. Disturbances in the development of the central nervous system can be caused by infections, genetics, exposure of the expectant mother to harmful substances during pregnancy (alcohol, drugs, certain medications), and her diseases.
3. Various infectious diseases. The earlier the child suffered an infection with convulsions, the more likely development of epilepsy in the future. As a rule, the causes are encephalitis and meningitis. But if you are predisposed to epilepsy, any disease can “trigger” the disease.
4. Head injury. Typically, seizures in epilepsy do not appear immediately after injury, but only after some time. This is a long-term consequence of the action of a traumatic factor on the brain.

The onset of the disease can be missed. At first, seizures may be rare and short-lived; the condition is accompanied by sleepwalking, the occurrence of causeless fears, depressed mood, attacks of pain in the different organs, behavioral disorders. If these symptoms appear again and again, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment of epileptic seizures is always selected taking into account individual characteristics child. General schemes there is no treatment. For each child, not only must a optimal mode intake and dosage prescribed, but also best combinations medications. Fast treatment does not happen with epilepsy. Therapy is always very long, drugs need to be discontinued slowly, and transfer to another medicine should be done gradually.

Possible consequences of seizures

In most cases, seizures that occur in infancy disappear when the baby grows up. In children under one year of age, the brain recovers quite quickly, and its development is not yet complete. But the more serious the convulsions (the more frequent and longer the seizures), the stronger the oxygen deprivation, that is, one can expect quite serious consequences. In this case, you should definitely show your baby to a doctor.

If it concerns epilepsy, then it is necessary complex treatment, a serious approach to the disease, constant monitoring by an epileptologist. Without containing the disease as it progresses, each new seizure may reduce intellectual abilities child, which can lead to serious consequences. Treatment, as mentioned above, must be comprehensive and individually selected.

Seizures are a relatively common lesion of the nervous system in children. Infantile seizures can appear in a baby in different periods his life, and they are connected for different reasons.

Convulsions may be associated with the influence harmful factors, which can occur both during intrauterine development of the fetus and during. Such factors can affect the baby after birth, in the first months of his life. Seizures are much more common in children than in adults.

Causes of seizures in children

Due to the fact that the brain of children at an early age is not yet mature enough, they experience low threshold excitability of the central nervous system and, accordingly, a tendency to convulsive reactions. In young children, there is a high permeability of the walls of blood vessels, therefore, cerebral edema under the influence of harmful factors ( toxic effect, infections, etc.) develop very quickly. They are accompanied by a convulsive reaction.

Seizures in children are usually divided into non-epileptic And epileptic . It happens that the former eventually develop into the latter. But we can talk about epilepsy in a child only if the diagnosis is confirmed by a doctor after a detailed examination and study of the medical history.

Non-epileptic seizures may occur relatively frequently in a child. Convulsions in newborns can occur due to asphyxia, injuries received during childbirth, with the manifestation of central nervous system defects, diseases of the cardiovascular system, etc.

In addition, seizures in children can be a consequence vaccinations , intoxication of the body, infectious diseases, as well as metabolic disorders. Therefore, when seizures occur, it is necessary to immediately conduct a comprehensive examination of the child and find out what reasons led to this phenomenon.

The most common causes of seizures in children are the following situations. Convulsions in children immediately after birth may develop due to asphyxia. Due to suffocation, blood circulation is disrupted, developing cerebral edema, and pinpoint hemorrhages appear in it. In such a situation, the baby needs to be provided with timely professional help, because with prolonged asphyxia, the tissues scar and develop brain atrophy.

Often, convulsions due to this reason develop during complicated childbirth, when the umbilical cord is entangled around the neck, premature separation amniotic fluid, placental abruption. As soon as the child is removed from this state, the convulsions stop and the baby’s condition returns to normal.

Convulsions are also accompanied intracranial injuries received during childbirth. Most often such convulsions occur in children local , that is, facial convulsions occur, or leg cramps occur in children. Sometimes such children experience muscle weakness, and in severe cases, generalized cramps of the entire body. If a newly born baby exhibits intracranial bleeding, and help is not provided in time, then convulsions appear approximately 4 days after birth. Sometimes seizures occur later, several months after the birth of the child. The reasons for this phenomenon are damage to brain tissue due to scarring. In this case, convulsions in infants may occur due to vaccination, infection, or injury.

The trigger for a seizure in this case may be an injury, a preventive vaccination or an infection. Seizures may occur if the child has a congenital defect in the development of the central nervous system.

With the development of infectious diseases, convulsions can occur both in children who have suffered trauma during childbirth, and in completely healthy babies. A toxic virus that attacks a child’s body has a negative effect on his nervous system. As a result, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves, among other things, in seizures.

Very often, seizures occur in children under one year of age when acute phase or . If a child has chicken pox , then cramps may appear at the peak of the rash. With neuroinfections, seizures in children occur due to an increase. At the same time, the whole body tenses. After adequate treatment of the disease is carried out and the temperature returns to normal, the seizures stop.

Sometimes the occurrence of seizures in children can be associated with a reaction to management. The risk of seizures is especially high in children who have a high degree of seizure readiness. Therefore, parents of such children should definitely know how first aid is provided for seizures. To do this, you can not only read the relevant rules, but also watch the video. But if the child has previously suffered asphyxia, birth injuries or exudative diathesis , then he most likely will not receive preventive vaccinations.

Convulsive seizures in children can also occur due to metabolic disturbances. As a result, the body is deficient in certain minerals ( magnesium , potassium , calcium ).

But if daytime and nighttime cramps develop in children for no apparent reason, then parents should definitely consult a doctor to rule out the development.

Types of seizures

Taking into account the nature of muscle contractions, we determine tonic And clonic seizures . Tonic convulsions in children, these are relatively long-term muscle contractions, as a result of which the limbs freeze in the position of flexion or extension. In this case, the child’s body is stretched, and the head tilts towards the chest or tilts back. For clonic seizures are characterized by dynamic contractions of the flexor and extensor muscles. As a result, there are rapid involuntary movements torso, arms, legs. Often also occur tonic-clonic convulsions, when there are two phases in an attack. If we determine the completeness of involvement of skeletal muscles, then we determine local (partial ) And general (generalized ) convulsions.

Febrile seizures in children develops in children under six years of age. They occur at high temperatures. We can talk about febrile seizures when we are talking about the occurrence of convulsive seizures in children who have not previously had seizures. Such convulsions are associated with the immaturity of the nervous system and occur against a background of high temperature. One of the important factors in this case is a genetic predisposition to seizures. During febrile convulsions, the child is completely withdrawn from the outside world, he may turn blue and hold his breath. Sometimes such convulsions occur in series, but they rarely last more than 15 minutes. Treatment of this condition is carried out only with the participation of a doctor. When they occur, it is important to provide proper first aid.

Respiratory-affective convulsions develop in a child due to very strong emotions. This is a kind of hysterical reaction to emotional shock. Such convulsive seizures are observed in children between 6 months and 3 years of age.

Symptoms

For seizures in a child head thrown back, limbs stretch forward. Most often the baby loses consciousness, his teeth clench and his eyes roll. In some cases, foam appears on the lips. The body is tense, but the limbs may twitch, or they may completely unclench and freeze. The baby's lips may turn blue, and involuntary urination or loss of feces may also occur.

After an attack, the child becomes lethargic, drowsy, he often does not remember what happened to him, and may not be oriented in space.

Diagnostics

Thus, when assessing convulsive seizures, the doctor must take into account information about heredity, the health of the parents, diseases suffered during pregnancy by the mother of the baby, and pathologies during childbirth. Taking an anamnesis involves determining the nature and characteristics of seizures. In particular, it is important to determine when the seizures occurred, how the seizure began, how often the seizures recur, and also note other important points.

During the diagnostic process, the doctor receives important data when conducting electroencephalography. Fundus examination is also practiced, which makes it possible to detect some pathologies in children. If necessary, it is also prescribed computed tomography , pneumoencephalography , angiography , spinal tap etc.

First aid for seizures

If parents notice that their child is beginning to have convulsions, then the first thing to do in this case is to call ambulance. While waiting for doctors, you need to be proactive. First of all, the baby needs to be rid of tight clothes and lay it on its side. The child should lie on a flat and hard surface. If the baby is lying on his back, then his head must be turned to the side. During convulsions, it is necessary to ensure patency respiratory tract. First you need to clear your mouth of mucus. To prevent tongue biting and allow air to flow, he needs to put something between his teeth. This could be a scarf or a folded piece of fabric. If a child puts something hard in his mouth, he may break his teeth. To get fresh air in the room, you should immediately open the window.

For convulsions that occur during crying, it is important to create as calm an environment as possible. crying baby. If a convulsive seizure occurs when a child cries heavily, then he needs reflexively restore breathing . You can sprinkle the baby with water, press on the root of the tongue with a spoon, and let him breathe in ammonia. You can also pat your child on the cheeks. After this, it is recommended to give a sedative. You can use regular valerian tincture at the rate of 1 drop per 1 year of the baby’s life. Sometimes when high voltage and the baby is unable to breathe, he has to do artificial respiration . But it should be performed only after the end of the attack, since this method is not practiced during the attack.

If a child exhibits febrile convulsions, measures must be taken to lower body temperature. The baby needs to be given an antipyretic (,), undress him, do a vinegar wrap, or try to reduce his body temperature by other methods. Until the seizures stop, you need to constantly watch the baby. You can give him water only after the cramps have stopped.

If, with high fever and convulsions, pale skin, blue lips and nails, chills, cold feet and palms are observed, then we are talking about pale fever . In this case, it is impossible to cool the child’s body. It needs to be warmed and given an injection or a dose of 1 mg per 1 kg of weight to dilate the blood vessels.

Children who have a tendency to febrile seizures , no need to take him to the bathhouse or let him go outside during the hottest period of the day. A child who is prone to convulsions when the body temperature rises should not be left alone if its temperature rises.

After first aid has been provided to the baby, he is hospitalized in the neurological department of the hospital.

Treatment of seizures is carried out only after a diagnosis has been established and, first of all, consists of treating the underlying disease. During the treatment, anticonvulsants are used, thermal procedures and massage are prescribed. It is also practiced to use antipyretic drugs , dehydrating agents , as well as medications that improve metabolic processes in the body.

If a child begins to have seizures, it means that the nervous system has been damaged. Seizures are usually observed in children with epilepsy. This phenomenon in children may appear in different period life and depends on various reasons. Children are diagnosed with seizures more often than older children age category.

The progression of the disease can be provoked by causes, pathologies of the fetus in the womb, and several months after the birth of the baby. Premature babies are more likely to have seizures. At the first symptoms, visit immediately medical institution to prescribe the right treatment.

Children, especially premature babies, have a low threshold of excitability of the central nervous system, the brain is not mature enough, and there is a strong tendency to convulsive muscle contractions. Non-epileptic convulsive reactions occur frequently. The formation of convulsive reactions in infants can be the result of trauma during childbirth, the manifestation of abnormalities in the central nervous system, or prematurity of the fetus. Moreover, seizures may be a consequence of unsuccessful vaccination.

Causes of seizures in a child:

• chronic or acute form of brain diseases;
• convulsions in babies under one year old, even during sleep, can occur as a result toxic damage brain;
• manifestation as a side effect of endocrine disorders;
• seizures during sleep occur as a result of increased high temperature bodies;
• seizures as a reaction to vaccination;
• convulsive syndrome occurs as a result of severe fright, the baby may turn blue or lose consciousness;
• disturbed mineral and carbohydrate metabolism, there is a decrease in blood sodium, magnesium, glucose, calcium, the functioning of the parathyroid glands is disrupted;
• medication can be observed in children whose mothers are sick.

Species

Tonic

Tonic convulsive manifestations (tonic seizures) are a long contraction of the muscles of the arms and legs, during which the arms and legs freeze in a bent or unbent position. During a tonic seizure, the baby’s body is stretched, the head is thrown back, and loss of consciousness occurs. Muscle contractions occur slowly and last a long time. The appearance of a tonic form signals overexcitation of brain structures.

Clonic

Clonic convulsive manifestations - dynamic muscle contraction occurs, uncontrolled chaotic movement of the arms, legs and torso. Clonic seizures of the tonic-clonic type are often observed during sleep in the prone position. There is a combination of symptoms of a tonic and clonic attack.

Febrile

Febrile convulsions in children - a form of the disease that progresses in children under 6 years of age. The reason is an increase in body temperature. Seizures occur that were not previously apparent. An important factor is the baby’s genetic predisposition to seizures. As a result of the febrile form of seizures, there is an external detachment from the world, loss of consciousness, the baby turns blue and holds his breath. Febrile convulsions in children are accompanied by disorientation, the patient does not understand anything and slowly comes to his senses.

Respiratory-affective

Respiratory-affective convulsions - sudden manifestations arise as a result of the baby's experience of large quantity emotions. This form occurs in the age group from 6 months to 3 years, especially in premature infants; convulsions can occur during sleep in a prone position.

Epileptic

The reasons for the formation of epileptic seizures are the formation of strong neuronal discharges in the cerebral cortex. have following symptoms: the work of the arms and legs is disrupted, muscles cramp, sensitivity is lost, mental and mental function is upset, loss of consciousness. Epileptic seizures– the most terrible, especially at night. The consequences are varied: injuries, bitten off tongue.

Symptoms

If your child starts having seizures, the symptoms are fairly easy to recognize: The head is thrown back, arms and legs are extended forward. The baby loses consciousness, clenches his teeth and rolls his eyes - everything happens involuntarily, often while sleeping on his stomach. Sometimes foam appears on the lips. The whole body is tense, twitching is observed in the arms and legs. The child develops blue lips, which can happen involuntary bowel movement. After convulsive phenomena, the baby looks sleepy, tired, and cannot explain what happened.

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Symptoms of a typical generalized seizure occur sharply, suddenly, and are possible while sleeping on the stomach. Signs: floating movement of the eyeballs occurs, loss of contact with the outside world.

Seizure time is up to 20 seconds. The pulse slows down, the baby may bite his tongue, breathing stops, and loss of consciousness occurs. Tonic attacks last no more than one minute and are replaced by restoration of consciousness. The consequences can be dire small child may cause injury to yourself.

Clonic seizures They begin by contracting the muscles of the face, then contracting the muscles of the arms and legs. Clonic seizures are characterized by noisy rapid breathing, loss of consciousness.

Clonic seizures occur of different durations, with repetitions. After the restoration of consciousness has occurred, the spasm of the arms, legs, and face has passed, and the baby falls asleep. Desirable urgent Care specialist and prescription of treatment, because clonic seizures are very dangerous. Delayed assistance can lead to death.

Tetanic attack characterized by the fact that it reduces the muscles of the arms and legs, the attack occurs with painful sensations. The likelihood of occurrence at night while sleeping on the stomach is high.

The spasm time is 10 – 15 seconds. The symptoms are pronounced, the cause is overexcitement during the day or high temperature during illness. Tetanic attacks are observed in children under 2 years of age, especially in premature infants.

In progress active growth a newborn may experience leg cramps. As soon as the first symptoms appear and you don’t know what to do, you need to seek help from a doctor. Emergency care is required and treatment is prescribed only by qualified specialists.

Seizures

Different types of epileptic seizures have the following symptoms:

• Generalized tonic-clonic. Symptoms of the clonic stage are a sudden loss of consciousness, the patient falls, arms and legs twitch. Next, the tonic stage occurs - the body tenses, screaming. The tonic stage lasts no more than 20 seconds. Generalized types of seizures occur as a result of lack of sleep. Generalized attacks are characterized by a decrease in muscle tone. Lasts from 10 seconds. Often occurs while sleeping on the stomach.
• Absence seizures. The causes of this type of epileptic seizure are the formation of epidischarges localized in the occipital zone. There is a disturbance of consciousness, slight twitching of the arms and legs.
• Myoclonus. You can feel it in your legs swipe, cramps the torso. Sometimes muscle twitching occurs. The duration of this type of attack is from 1 to 15 seconds.
• Final attacks. They occur extremely rarely in children, but are very dangerous. High temperature possible.
• Focal. The reason why a focal attack occurs is the formation of epidischarges in the occipital zone. The patient sees hallucinations, feels “butterflies” in the stomach, hears various voices and music. My legs feel tingling and my arms go numb.

Diagnostics

When diagnosing an attack, qualified specialists are primarily interested in the hereditary factor, find out why the attack occurred, what ailments were previously suffered during the gestation period, whether there were any pathologies during the pregnancy period. labor activity or childbirth. It is determined in what period and what provoked convulsive seizures, the amount of time between attacks.

To determine the cause of spasms, the child must undergo a detailed neurological and somatic examination. A general analysis of blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid is prescribed.

Electroencephalography is also prescribed. Examination of the fundus of the eye is practiced, which makes it possible to detect certain pathologies in children. If necessary, young patients are prescribed a CT scan and spinal puncture.

Treatment

First aid

As soon as the parents notice the beginning of the attack, emergency assistance is needed in the form of calling an ambulance. While waiting for the doctors, they begin active actions, don't panic. Help provided on time will save the child’s life.

1. The child is relieved of restrictive clothing.
2. Place on a flat, non-soft surface on its side. If it doesn’t work out on the side, turn your head to the side.
3. Airway patency is ensured.
4. Clean the oral cavity so that the baby does not bite his tongue, put something hard between the teeth.
5. Provides access to fresh air.

When a spasm occurs during a period of nervous excitement of the baby, a calm environment is created. There is a reflex restoration of breathing. You need to sprinkle some water on the child, gently apply pressure on the root of the tongue using a spoon, and apply cotton wool and ammonia. Gently pat the cheeks, and after bringing them to their senses, a sedative is given. Valerian will be enough, dosage based on the child’s age: 1 drop for one year.

For febrile seizures in children, immediate measures are taken to help lower body temperature. The baby is given an antipyretic and can be rubbed with vinegar.

Keep an eye on the little patient until the convulsions have passed. If the attack does not go away, moreover, paleness of the skin and blue lips occur - the use of vinegar is prohibited. The most dangerous attacks– at night, while sleeping on your stomach, since there may be no one nearby.

After providing first aid to the little patient, he is admitted to the neurological department of the hospital. Treatment is prescribed as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. Doctors prescribe treatment for the baby in the form of anticonvulsant medications, massages and thermal procedures are prescribed.

Drugs

Medicines are prescribed to help improve the functioning of metabolic processes in the body. If seizures occur periodically, treatment is urgently needed. In the worst case, swelling of the brain will occur and breathing will be impaired. If the weather is hot, keep an eye on water balance baby, stay hydrated. To improve blood circulation, treatment is necessary in the form of alternating a hot compress with a cold one on the affected areas. You shouldn’t ignore the rise in temperature, you need to do something. If the temperature is high, give antipyretic syrups.

If the disease is diagnosed in at the moment impossible, treatment is carried out in the form symptomatic therapy with the help of medications that help block convulsive paroxysm.

Treatment is aimed at restoring normal breathing and reducing the excitability of the central uneven system. What to do? It is impossible to stop an attack that has begun, shorten the duration of the attack, alleviate the symptoms - everything that can be done to help the child.

Convulsive conditions sometimes occur in children of different ages. Parents are always scared similar phenomena. Why do involuntary muscle contractions of the arms or legs occur, including during sleep? What types of seizures are there? How is the cause of the problem diagnosed? How to provide first aid during an attack? How is the treatment carried out? Let's figure it out together.

Seizures in a child are dangerous pathological condition, in which parents are required to know the rules of first aid

Causes of seizures in children of different ages

Depending on the type of seizures, the reasons that cause them will differ. When establishing provoking factors, you will need to pay attention to the age of the child. Experts identify a number of conditions that can trigger seizures in children. The most common reasons include:

• internal bleeding;
• hysteria;
• asphyxia;
• birth injuries;
• meningitis;
• allergies (with allergies, cramps go away after contact with the irritant is eliminated);
• metabolic disorders, diabetes;
• intoxication of various etiologies;
• heredity, genetic diseases;
• cysts, tumor formations;
• emotional and mental disorders;
• epilepsy (we recommend reading:);
• disorders in the development of the central nervous system and/or its dysfunction;
• neuroinfections and traumatic brain injuries;
• immaturity of the brain.

Birth injuries, metabolic disorders, asphyxia, and hereditary factors can lead to seizures in a child from the first days of life. Breast baby up to 1 year sometimes experiences convulsive conditions during severe cold or after routine immunization, with the penetration of neuroinfections or if the development of the central nervous system and organs does not correspond to the age.

Regardless of whether the spasm was a single one or the attacks are repeated periodically, the symptom cannot be ignored. It's better to play it safe and make sure that everything is okay with the baby. If muscle spasms of the arms and legs are caused by pathology, without proper and timely treatment there is a high risk of developing serious consequences, including cerebral palsy.

If the root cause of development is identified in a timely manner seizures in a child, there is a high chance of completely curing him and avoiding the recurrence of this dangerous symptom. Parents and doctors are required to pay close attention to the baby’s condition, thorough diagnosis and high-quality therapy.

Types of seizures

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There are several types of muscle contractions in children. According to the generally accepted classification, if a spasm involves almost all the muscles of the body and completely paralyzes the patient for a while, we are talking about generalized spasms, but if it occurs in a specific area (for example, in the leg), where it is concentrated, then it is a focal spasm.

There are also clonic and tonic types of contractions. In the first case, the muscles twitch, a pulsating contraction is observed, alternating with relaxation. A tonic spasm is characterized by strong muscle tension that persists for quite a long time. There are also tonic-clonic seizures.

In addition, experts distinguish non-febrile and febrile seizures:

1. Nonfebrile convulsions occur when the proper functioning of the brain is temporarily disrupted. In children under 3 years of age, cramps of this type may occur at night during sleep. If accompanying symptoms no, and this is an isolated case, this indicates that the child had a vivid and realistic dream. When night cramp accompanied during sleep involuntary urination or occurs in a dream in children over 3 years of age - this is a reason to consult a doctor. This category of convulsions is often accompanied by loss of consciousness - complete or partial. Non-febrile seizures also include epileptic seizures.
2. Febrile seizures are muscle contractions at very high body temperatures (more details in the article:). Usually occurs with a severe cold or flu. This is a phenomenon that accompanies fever, and after the infectious or viral disease is cured, convulsions will go away along with it.

Associated symptoms

Parents can recognize seizures, including tonic-clonic ones, by the characteristic clinical picture that accompanies their appearance. These are involuntary muscle movements that are difficult to miss or not notice.

In case we are talking about severe attack, seizures may manifest themselves as follows:

• involuntary urination;
• cyanosis of the skin and lips;
• tension, stretching or squeezing of the limbs;
• teeth grinding, strong clenching of the jaw;
• eye rolling;
• signs allergic reaction(if the attack is caused by an allergy);
• the appearance of foam at the mouth, in severe cases the child may vomit;
• distortion of facial features, twitching of limbs, their involuntary movements, tic, pulsation (we recommend reading:).

Parents cannot always determine and understand why the child jerks his leg or arm - his limb is cramping, or the baby’s movements are controlled by his brain. You can see what clonic, tonic and clonic-tonic convulsions look like in the video accompanying the article.

Diagnostic methods

Seizures are unpredictable and therefore dangerous condition. It is important to find out why the child had a seizure and eliminate the cause as quickly as possible to avoid another seizure. First of all, you need to visit a pediatrician, he will give a referral to a neurologist, neurologist or endocrinologist.

Electroencephalography

If there have been seizures of non-febrile origin, you will need to undergo comprehensive diagnostics to assess the child’s health status and identify pathological processes leading to muscle spasms. The survey uses wide range modern diagnostic methods, which include:

• laboratory blood test - indicates a deficiency or excess of any elements in the body;
• electroencephalography - a study to assess the state of the brain;
• If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a computer or magnetic resonance imaging scan.

First aid for a child

Seizures in a child may begin suddenly. In this case, it is important to provide him with first aid in a timely and correct manner. What to do in this or that case will depend on the location and intensity of the attack. When a limb is struck by a focal spasm, massage and impact on the muscle will help - it can be pricked or pinched.

A generalized attack is much more dangerous and requires compliance with several rules. In such cases, you need to urgently call an ambulance, and try to help the child until the doctors arrive. You should not give any liquids or medications until the attack is over, nor should you try to open clenched teeth.

What to do if you have seizures

Help tactics look like this:

• lay the small patient on his back with a clean towel under his head;
• heavy, piercing, cutting objects and any other objects that could injure the baby should be removed away;
• hold a towel between the child’s jaws (if possible);
• turn your head to the side - if foam appears or vomiting begins, the patient should not choke;
• neck and area chest It is advisable to remove clothes.

Features of the treatment of seizures

Treatment of seizures in patients of any age begins with identifying the cause that triggers the symptoms. Depending on what diagnosis was made to the child, the doctor selects the most effective and safe therapeutic course, aimed not only at eliminating the pathology, but also at stopping repeated attacks.

Glucose is used for hypoglycemia

Basic course of treatment

As a general rule, treatment of seizures in a child is structured as follows:

• if we are talking about a febrile convulsive state, it is necessary to stop the fever;
• hypoglycemia - monitoring vomiting and temperature over time, administering a dextrose solution, then glucose (intravenously and infusion);
• hypomagnesemia - intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate solution;
• hypocalcemia - slow intravenous administration of calcium gluconate solution.

For persistent, frequently recurring convulsive conditions in infants under one year of age, the use of barbiturate acid derivatives or barbiturates is recommended.

With the development of involuntary muscle spasms a medicine that has a sedative effect is required - this is how barbiturates act.

Depending on the diagnosis and the severity of the little patient’s condition, long, short or medium courses are used medicines group of barbiturates. The first treatment regimen is indicated in the most severe cases, in particular, when treating children of any age suffering from epileptic seizures.

mechanical ventilation

Artificial ventilation and maintaining the required level of blood pressure - such methods can also be used in the treatment of convulsive conditions in children of different ages, but only if there are appropriate indications. The list of conditions that accompany seizures and require the use of these measures includes:

• periodic intense vomiting;
• significant increase in body temperature;
• loss of consciousness;
• breathing disorders.

Complications and prognosis

Among newborns suffering from seizures, there is a high mortality rate of up to 30%. This is due to the difficulty of detecting the true causes that provoke attacks, and the weakness of the newborn’s body, which may develop complications such as ischemic stroke and ischemic encephalopathy.

If a child has had a seizure, it is imperative that it be thoroughly examined. medical examination

In case the attacks are caused meningococcal infection, the survival prognosis is unfavorable, but if the cause is metabolic disorders, children in the vast majority of cases can be successfully treated. In any case, even with single seizures, the child must be under the supervision of a qualified specialist for 12 months and undergo a full examination.

Prevention of seizures

Attention should be paid to the prevention of convulsive conditions in a child already at the intrauterine stage of its development. The lifestyle, nutrition and health of the expectant mother largely determine how correctly and harmoniously all the baby’s organs and systems will be formed. After the birth of a child, it is necessary to ensure that the child develops both physically and emotionally and psychologically.

Regular moderate physical activity is required from an early age (even regular exercise will be useful morning exercises). Walks in the fresh air (the more the better), contact with mom and dad, a varied and balanced diet containing everything essential vitamins and microelements - all these preventive measures will help reduce the risk of seizures.