Seizures in a child: symptoms, treatment and prevention. Convulsions and spasms in a child: causes and types of seizures, treatment and possible consequences

Most parents experience childhood seizures, and often mothers and fathers are very frightened by what is happening. Meanwhile, convulsions do not necessarily mean mortal danger, and some are even common companions of growing up.

So, should we panic or not, and if we panic, then when? We decided to understand this issue with the help of Elena PARAMONOVA, a neurologist-epileptologist, founder, director and expert of the “Algorithm” center for epilepsy, paroxysmal conditions and sleep disorders.

“Rolling up” when screaming and crying

- Elena Nikolaevna, what kind of seizures are typical for children?

Very often, parents are afraid of affective-respiratory attacks, simply “rolling up” when crying. In fact, these attacks look quite creepy - the child turns blue, falls, and bends over. Or there may also be pale fainting - often a reaction to pain, especially if you hit the back of your head, turned pale and fell. All parents are afraid of these conditions.

There are four types of affective respiratory attacks (ARAs).

The most common one is called simple ARP. Manifests itself in the form of holding the breath at the end of exhalation. Usually the result of frustration or trauma. There are no major changes in circulation or oxygenation and respiration occurs spontaneously.

Blue type. Typically caused by anger or frustration, although it can also be caused by pain. The child cries and makes a forced exhalation, sometimes there is cyanosis (blue color), loss of muscle tone and loss of consciousness. Most children regain consciousness, some fall asleep for an hour or two.

Pale type. The child turns pale (as opposed to the blue type) and loses consciousness; does not cry or cries a little.

Complicated type. It may simply be a more severe form of the previous two types. This type of attack begins as "blue" or "pale" and then develops into something like an epileptic seizure. The electroencephalogram outside the seizure is essentially normal.

- What should I do?

First of all, down with fear! The child needs to be brought out of this state: you can splash cold water on his face, you can wash him, slap him on the bottom or cheek, you can shake him sharply and blow into his mouth. Sometimes it helps to take the child out into the cold air, bring him to an open window. Any influence designed for a reflex reaction helps.

- Why do such conditions arise?

These conditions are hereditary. Often in the doctor’s office, when asked if this happened to someone close to them, adults begin to remember what, yes, happened to their brother, grandmother, sister...

- Such attacks last a lifetime?

No no. These attacks disappear after five years. But, dear parents, keep in mind that much in this matter depends on you! In families where parents have thoroughly studied the issue, listened to the doctor’s advice, understood everything and are not afraid of anything, these conditions go away quite painlessly.

” But when parents react hysterically, the child may develop neurosis. It happens that sometimes children with affective-respiratory attacks realize that their parents are afraid of such conditions, and begin to simulate them, because our children are very smart creatures who can use any means to achieve a goal (laughs). Remember that a lot depends on how the parents behave.

Febrile seizures

- Children often have seizures at elevated temperatures. Please tell us about them.

There are typical febrile convulsions at a body temperature of 38.5 and above (this temperature is called febrile). They are characterized by the following signs:

firstly, age from one to five;

secondly, the duration is no longer than five minutes;

thirdly, these are generalized seizures (spread throughout the body), in other words, the child either “pulls” or “hits” the whole body.

” -5% of children around the world are susceptible to such seizures, and only in 5% of these five such seizures can be the onset of epilepsy. The remaining 95% exceeded the age of five and entered adulthood as healthy people. Just keep in mind that their children can also exhibit such cramps.

There are atypical febrile attacks. This is a much more dangerous condition. Contact your doctor immediately if you observe the following signs:

firstly, seizures begin before one year (especially before 6 months!) or after five years;

secondly, body temperature 37.5;

thirdly, they are focal in nature, that is, a spasm passes through one half of the body, and the other is not involved.

These are very dangerous conditions because they indicate brain diseases - the occurrence of neoplasms or the development of structural temporal lobe epilepsy.

-Elena Nikolaevna, what diseases can trigger febrile seizures in children?

Absolutely any, each person individually. Some people experience convulsions due to a sore throat, some due to pneumonia, some due to a rotavirus infection, the flu... To be fair, it should be noted that even an adult can react to a temperature of 40 with the flu with a cramp.

Seizures in adolescence

Can convulsions be companions of growth, that is, they occur in adolescence and go away over time?

Of course, after all, during puberty (puberty is the period of puberty, usually 12-16 years for girls and 13-18 years for boys), the body undergoes restructuring, and it happens that it cannot cope with the stress. At this age, what is more common is not even convulsions, but convulsive fainting (pulling and going limp), as well as simply fainting - going limp and dripping like ice cream. They occur when there is strong excitement (boys are afraid of injections, for example). They happen from standing for a long time (girls faint at school assemblies on September 1).

” To exclude suspicion of some other disease, parents need to know that a person “enters” into fainting, and adolescents describe their condition quite clearly: there is a feeling of lightheadedness, dizziness, ringing in the ears or congestion.

If everything happens this way, then it will go away with age, but a consultation with a neurologist is, of course, mandatory. Parents just need to understand that fainting is not a reason to panic.

- Which teenagers are at risk?

These are, of course, kids who very quickly “went up” and grew up. And children who do not have physical and motor activity, those who sit at school all day and then at home in front of the computer.

” -Dear parents! Remember that for the treatment of such cramps and fainting, the most important thing is vascular training, namely physical activity and hardening procedures.

Elena Nikolaevna, what should you do if a teenager still experiences periodic seizures, but doctors find no abnormalities?

Don’t give up, don’t let things take their course, but look for reasons! For teenagers, everything is already the same as for adults. Non-epileptic seizures should be dealt with by doctors from a variety of specialties:

heart rhythm disturbances detected on the ECG - see a cardiologist;

hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) - see an endocrinologist. After all, there are teenagers who simply don’t eat (they don’t have time, they don’t want to, they lose weight), and there are children with a predisposition to diabetes;

hypocalcemia - low calcium level - see a therapist. And a note for mothers: be sure to monitor the intake of calcium-containing medications and vitamin D in all children, from infants to adolescents. By the way, with hypocalcemia, cramps are painful and prolonged.

rare, but there is a tumor of the pancreas - insulinoma, which can also cause seizures - see an oncologist;

if a teenager has a bad electroencephalogram (EEG), see an epileptologist.

” -If a conscientious doctor complains of seizures, he will always recommend doing an ECG (electrocardiogram), daily Holter ECG monitoring, EEG (electroencephalogram), donating blood for sugar and microelements: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus.

There are many causes of seizures, you need to be examined, look for and find them, and then treat them and create a healthy and joyful life for yourself and your children! Health to you and your children!

Interviewed by Rimma Petrak

Diet and massage for cramps in a child Seizures in children - varieties

Every parent should know what seizures are in a child. This symptom is quite common in childhood. The baby’s body grows and develops, which requires large energy costs and is accompanied by the consumption of microelements and changes in the functioning of the nervous system. Attacks of muscle contractions up to a certain period are acceptable, but in older children this is a sign of a serious illness. Therefore, mom and dad should be able to recognize childhood seizures and know when to see a doctor.

Classification of seizures

Leg cramps in a child are muscle contractions that occur independently and are not controlled by the nervous system. Sometimes spasms occur with the participation of the brain. They are caused by neurological diseases or complications of chronic pathologies that affect the functioning of the cerebral cortex. Regardless of the mechanism of development, several types of seizures are distinguished:

Clonic is a kind of muscle twitching. The episode can last several minutes, during which there are constant contractions of individual muscle fibers. Such attacks are often characterized by convulsions in babies under one year of age, which appear as a result of age-related formation of the musculoskeletal system;
Tonic cramps - look like prolonged muscle tension without episodes of relaxation. Felt in one muscle group - calf, sole, back of the thigh. Such an attack lasts several minutes and is accompanied by immobilization of part of the limb and the occurrence of pain;
Mixed - such an episode lasts several minutes; tonic and clonic spasms may be observed, replacing each other. Scientists have not fully understood the mechanism for the development of such a symptom; usually these are febrile convulsions that appear against the background of an increase in temperature.

Based on localization, there are two types of seizures in children:

Local - concentrated within one muscle, sometimes affecting neighboring muscles. Such contractions accompany convulsions in adolescents against the background of a deficiency of potassium and magnesium in the growing body; they often occur with fever, dehydration and other conditions;
Generalized are spasms of the whole body, alternating with widespread tonic contractions and convulsions of the type of mixed convulsions. Observed in epilepsy, they can lead to injury during an attack.

Expert opinion!
What to do if a child has seizures? Before starting therapy, it is necessary to establish their type. Local spasms are easily eliminated by taking potassium and magnesium containing drugs. With generalized options, such means are powerless. In such a situation, an examination by a neurologist and the prescription of special anticonvulsants will be required.

Reasons

Convulsions in a child occur under the influence of pathogenic factors that affect the muscles or nervous system, provoking muscle contractions. Let us consider such reasons in relation to their development mechanisms.

Causes of seizures without fever

This is the largest group of provoking factors that affect blood vessels and nerves - they can be congenital or acquired. They contribute to the appearance of symptoms in both babies and older children.

The main causes of seizures in a child without fever are as follows:

Mental instability;
Heredity;
Birth injuries;
Circulatory and metabolic disorders;
Dehydration;
Lack of vitamins and microelements;
Acquired diseases.

If a child has an infection accompanied by a fever, convulsions may occur with fever. In this case, temporary disturbances in the physiology of the cerebral cortex appear, which sends impulses to the muscles.

Causes of night cramps

Cramps during a child's sleep or when falling asleep are usually tonic and involve one muscle group. The symptom occurs against the background of muscle relaxation - after active games or a long walk.

Night cramps in children during sleep appear due to the following reasons:

Eating disorders;
Prematurity;
Frequent illnesses;
Rapid growth of the child, increased activity;
Periodic stress, developmental delays.

Interesting!
The listed reasons lead to a deficiency of potassium and magnesium - there is a lack of food intake, poor absorption in the intestines or increased consumption in the body.

Cramps after vaccination

Some children may experience convulsions after a DPT or DPT vaccination, which stop within a couple of days. The occurrence of the symptom is explained by a side effect of the drug that affects the functioning of the cerebral cortex. If the baby has previously had spasms, he may be exempt from vaccinations for a certain time according to the doctor’s testimony.

Cramps due to dehydration

Why a child's legs cramp - very often the cause is the loss of fluid, with which potassium and magnesium are removed from the body. With their deficiency, cellular conductivity is disrupted, muscles cease to fully relax, and spontaneous contractions occur.

Dehydration in children is caused by:

Loose stools;
Blood loss;
Fever and high fever, accompanied by increased fluid consumption.

Typically, when you lose water, cramps appear after 5-7 days. Contractions are widespread and involve part of a limb or the entire leg.

In case of poisoning

The mechanism of development of the disease is similar to the previous one, only in addition to the loss of microelements, damage to muscle tissue occurs due to poisons circulating in the blood. In children, poisoning occurs:

In case of infectious infection;
In case of erroneous use of medications, household chemicals;
Due to food poisoning.

In all conditions, urgent medical attention is required, aimed at the very cause of the disease - restoring fluid and electrolyte levels, neutralizing toxins.

Spasms during hysterics

Here the cause is strong emotional lability, which leads to disorders of the innervation of the legs. Occurs during conflicts with other children, parents or teachers, after a fall, injury, or unpleasant memories. Support from loved ones and visiting a child psychologist will help correct the situation.

Chronic diseases are a trigger for seizures

The presence of congenital or acquired pathology in a child leads to the development of the disease. The most common reasons in this area are:

Diabetes mellitus;
Meningitis;
Thyroid diseases;
Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
Oncology;
Epilepsy.

Note!
If your baby has seizures, do not rush to suspect the presence of a disease. The final decision can be made by the attending physician after a complete diagnosis.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Symptoms can occur at any age, from infants to teenagers. Dr. Komarovsky claims that periodic convulsions (especially against the background of elevated temperature) up to 6 years of age are normal. The child’s nervous system is developing, all organs are growing and developing – small deviations arise in the physiology of the young organism.

The main thing is to monitor the baby and try to eliminate the provoking factor: if the spasms are preceded by an elevated temperature, you should prevent its occurrence. If an illness occurs due to dehydration, it is necessary to control the drinking regime.

Epilepsy develops in only 2% of children, therefore, if the child is over 6 years old and the manifestations of seizures do not stop, you should consult a neurologist.

Associated symptoms

Any parent will recognize the first signs of illness in a child—the baby feels pain and will immediately begin to scream and attract attention. Infants cannot explain their complaints, so mom or dad needs to know the characteristic symptoms of seizures based on external manifestations:

Limbs are straightened or in a bent position;
The muscles are tense;
There is urinary and fecal incontinence;
If the spasms are generalized, the head is thrown back, paralysis is observed;
Foam may come out of the mouth, and the baby may lose consciousness.

Not all of the listed symptoms may be present - their manifestation is individual. The degree of severity depends on the health of the child, his emotional state and the progression of the underlying pathology.

Diagnostics

The beginning of diagnosis is a visit to a neurologist. Parents tell the doctor how the attacks progress and against what background they appear. The doctor asks questions and makes notes in the medical history. Then an examination is carried out, directions for laboratory and instrumental examination are issued:

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound (ultrasound) of the skull - to identify circulatory disorders;
Blood and urine tests - allow you to determine diabetes by sugar levels, thyroid disease by the concentration of hormones;
Consultations with related specialists depending on the symptoms - ophthalmologist, surgeon, pediatrician.

Based on the conclusion, a diagnosis is made, which includes the main pathology. If searches do not bring any results, seizures should be considered age-related. And parents should review the emergency care algorithm during a consultation with a doctor.

First aid

If a child has periodic seizures, parents should know the immediate measures to eliminate them. Such actions are aimed at reducing pain and duration of the attack, preventing complications and injuries.

First aid for seizures in children:

Place your baby on a flat surface where the risk of injury is minimal. Remove all objects that could injure the child;
Lay the baby on his side with his head on the pillow - this will prevent suffocation from vomit;
If the baby is out of breath, bring a cotton swab with ammonia. It is recommended to keep the bottle with you at all times;
If you have a fever, perform a wet wipe, you can turn on the fan.

The parent's task is to prevent the child from falling out of bed or getting injured. It is strictly forbidden to take any medications without the approval of a doctor; you cannot forcefully bend or straighten limbs, or try to fix the baby in a certain position.

After an attack, rest is indicated - put the child in bed, cover with a blanket and provide a flow of fresh air. You can bring sweet tea or compote.

Treatment

Treatment of seizures in children has its own characteristics. Unlike adults, medications are not allowed, and physiotherapy is carried out with caution. Diet and massage have worked well.

Diet

A balanced diet maintains vitamin and mineral levels. The menu is designed in such a way as to provide the growing body with everything it needs.

The weekly diet should include the following products:

Fruits and vegetables;
Milk, cheese, cottage cheese;
Dried fruits;
Green;
Cereals;
Eggs;
Fish;
Lean meats;
Nuts.

Products and cooking methods are selected taking into account age. The listed components can be alternated to diversify the menu. Overeating is not allowed. It is advisable to eat in small portions 5-6 times a day. Dinner should be light.

Massage

This treatment can be performed on children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. The most effective would be to conduct sessions in a specialized salon - but if this is not possible, you can do the warm-up at home. Regardless of the location of the cramps, a massage of all legs is performed, including the following sequence:

Plantar surface of the foot;
Calf muscles;
Anterior surface of the lower leg;
Posterior thigh. Then the inner and the front.

The massage begins with light stroking, followed by rubbing. Jamming is done only in those areas where there is a thick layer of soft tissue.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic treatment is indicated only as prescribed by a doctor. The safest methods are:

UVT (ultrasound therapy);
Magnetotherapy;
Warming procedures.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is effective only in the presence of somatic pathologies that cause seizures. It is carried out twice a week, the child undergoes a routine examination at the request of the pediatrician.

Prevention

Compliance with preventive measures is aimed at preventing the development of seizures, but it is advisable for the mother to carry them out from the moment of pregnancy. The basic rules are as follows:

A woman should eat a balanced diet;
Stress is eliminated;
Bad habits are not allowed;
The expectant mother should protect herself from infectious diseases;
If possible, daily walks are taken, and special gymnastics for pregnant women are performed.

To prevent relapse of the disease in a child, the following rules must be observed:

Eliminate or minimize the provoking factor;
The child must follow a diet and full physical activity;
You can’t skip physical education lessons;
If necessary, make an appointment with a child psychologist;
Visit your pediatrician in a timely manner and follow all his recommendations.

Prevention does not guarantee complete elimination of seizures, but significantly reduces the likelihood of their occurrence. If the symptom does not disappear before the age of 6 years, an urgent consultation with a neurologist is required to be examined for epilepsy.

Seizures in children in most cases appear due to neurological disorders and are related to age-related characteristics of a growing organism. Treatment is aimed at eliminating symptoms. If spasms do not stop before the age of 6 years, an examination for epilepsy is necessary.

Cramps are characterized in medicine as an involuntary muscle spasm that occurs as a result of pathological activity of the brain centers responsible for motor activity. This process can be observed in adults and even children. Convulsions during sleep in a child can pose a great danger. To determine how to deal with the pathology, it is necessary to identify the reason why there is a convulsive state at night.

Abnormalities in brain function cannot occur without reasons. Before indulging in panic, you should contact specialists who will help determine what triggered the development of attacks. Sometimes, the reason may be completely harmless and not pose any threat to the child’s health.

The most common causes of seizures during sleep:

sleep disrupted by uneven light supply (for example, flickering TV or night light);
meningitis accompanied by hypoxia;
trauma to the skull and brain;
diseases developing in the brain;
lack of microelements in the child’s body (most often -);
intoxication of the body;
muscle overload or severe fatigue;
active growth (leg cramps at night).

It is important to determine the cause of the attack in time, because if serious diseases progress, then seizures are exclusively a symptom of pathological abnormalities that can be life-threatening for the child.

Types and features

Types of seizures in children

The nature of a convulsive attack can be different, from ordinary muscle twitching to uncontrolled twitching of the limbs and rotation of the eyes. After waking up, the symptoms usually disappear, but the child’s well-being deteriorates significantly.
There are five main types of seizures, which have specific causes and characteristics of how a seizure occurs during sleep in a child.

Tonic

The attack is characterized by a prolonged contraction of the muscle fibers of the limbs, with periodic “freezing” in an extended or bent position. During a seizure, the body is fully extended and the head is thrown back. Possible loss of consciousness. Convulsions occur gradually, but last a long time. The reason is overexcitation of brain structures.

Clonic

First aid

First aid for a seizure

It is difficult to prevent seizures, especially if they occur for the first time or are extremely rare. In order to avoid serious consequences, you need to know how first aid is provided for seizures in a child during sleep.

The first action of parents who notice the onset of an attack or its course is to call an ambulance. You should not rely only on your own strength; professional help in such cases can be vital.
While waiting for the arrival of the medical team, it is necessary to begin to perform the first steps that will alleviate the child’s condition.
If the sleeping person is wearing pajamas or other clothing that restricts movement, they must be removed.
The victim is placed on his side. If this cannot be done, then turn only the head and make sure that it is turned to the side.
It should be monitored so that it does not fall inside. If necessary, take a spoon and press it with its “handle” at the base of the tongue.
You can place a small hard object between the teeth to prevent your baby from biting his tongue.
Hands and feet are held, but not tightly, but only to prevent injury from hitting something.
They talk to the child, lightly slap him on the cheeks, trying to wake him up and bring him to consciousness.
If you lose consciousness, they give you ammonia to smell, but do not bring it too close.

As soon as the symptoms of the attack begin to subside, a sedative should be given. Valerian extract is suitable, at a rate of 1 drop/1 year (age).

Parents should not panic. Rash actions of adults can aggravate the situation and cause even more harm to the baby. During the attack, you need to remain calm and fully control every action. All worries should be left for later.

Arriving medical specialists provide the necessary assistance and, if necessary, hospitalize the patient in a hospital facility. If hospitalization is not carried out, then the next day parents should definitely take the child to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor should advise adults about what measures should be taken to prevent a seizure and how to prevent seizures at night in a child.

How to prevent attacks

After contacting specialists and determining the causes of convulsive reactions in a child at night, treatment begins, which includes:

elimination of consequences;
preventive measures;
treatment of the underlying pathology.

If problems arise with diagnosing the causes of night cramps, the specialist determines a scheme of symptomatic therapy, including visiting a psychologist, taking medications and controlling brain centers.

Only the attending physician can prescribe medications for children. Complex therapy includes drugs from several groups, each drug has a targeted effect. Depending on the cause of the pathological condition, different medications may be prescribed.

Therapy must necessarily include:

vitamin complexes;
sedatives;
anticonvulsants.

Since high temperature can also trigger seizures, if you are prone to seizures, you should not delay taking antipyretic medications.

Herbal infusions (decoctions) can also be used as a sedative and relaxant. Before going to bed, your child can be given a small amount of chamomile or anise infusion. Consult a doctor first.

Seizures can be dangerous, so prevention should be given great attention. Experts recommend increasing the intake of vitamins in the body in the form of fresh juices, vegetables, and fruits.

Since the provoking factor of the pathological condition is often a deficiency of microelements in the body of a growing child, it is recommended to consume:

seaweed and regular cabbage;
spinach and parsley;
dates and sesame seeds;
figs and apricots;
almonds and sunflower seeds;
dairy and fermented milk products.

Even slight dehydration should not be allowed. In hot weather it should be given to the child constantly.

How to organize a child's daily routine

In addition to monitoring the child’s nutrition and water balance, you should pay attention to the baby’s conditions and lifestyle. The psycho-emotional environment surrounding the child and the characteristics of his character traits are of great importance. If a child is hyperactive and easily overexcited, then the environment around him should be calm so as not to aggravate his condition. For such children, a bath with an infusion of sedative herbs is recommended before bed.

Many experts advise:

contrast shower to improve blood circulation and increase oxygen supply to the brain;
Every morning you need to do exercises even with the smallest kids;
light before bed is useful;
ventilate the room before going to bed;
During sleep, the baby should not be too hot or cold.

If a child has had night cramps only once, then there is no need to worry too much; the cause may be emotional overexcitation or physical muscle strain. However, with periodically recurring attacks, it will not be possible to manage only with prevention and symptomatic therapy. Most likely, each time the seizures will become more frequent, and their intensity will increase. Lack of treatment can also cause suffocation.

From the video you will learn why the most common febrile seizures occur in children and how to prevent them:

Convulsive conditions sometimes occur in children of different ages. Parents are always frightened by such 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.

Convulsions in a child are a 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. An infant under 1 year of age sometimes experiences convulsive conditions during a severe cold or after routine immunization, when neuroinfections penetrate, or when 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 in 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 you promptly identify the root cause of the development of convulsive 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

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

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:

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 there are no accompanying symptoms and the case is isolated, then this indicates that the child had a vivid and realistic dream. When a night cramp during sleep is accompanied by involuntary urination or occurs during sleep 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.
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 of a severe attack, convulsions 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 of an 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 an 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, then a comprehensive diagnosis will be required to assess the child’s health and identify pathological processes leading to muscle spasms. The examination uses a wide range of 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;
It is advisable to free the neck and chest area from clothing.

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.

When involuntary muscle spasms develop, a medication 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 of drugs from the barbiturate group are used. 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 of 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 to conduct a thorough medical examination.

If the attacks are caused by meningococcal infection, the survival prognosis is unfavorable, but if the cause is metabolic disorders, in the vast majority of cases, children 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.

Seizures in children are not uncommon. This is due to the hereditary characteristics of 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 can throw back his head, strain and extend his lower limbs, turn his palms outward, and spread his 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 seizures are characterized by nodding of the head, flexion of the limbs, eye symptoms, and loss of consciousness or cessation (significant difficulty) of breathing may occur. Tonic-clonic are characterized by alternating contractions and increased muscle tone.

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 is a hereditary predisposition to seizures. If there is no unfavorable heredity, the child’s central nervous system is normal, and there are no characteristic changes on the electroencephalogram, then doctors refrain from making an accurate diagnosis of “epilepsy,” considering the seizures 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, with high fever 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 sugar levels (hypoglycemic cramps);
oxygen starvation, which leads to brain swelling;
low zinc content in the newborn’s blood (fifth day cramps);
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);
maternal use of alcohol, drugs, and certain medications during pregnancy (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, and excess carbon dioxide. In most cases, this phenomenon leads to pinpoint hemorrhages in the brain and swelling. A newborn needs immediate medical attention, since prolonged stay in this state can cause brain atrophy and irreversible pathological changes.

Convulsions in children with oxygen starvation occur if childbirth occurs with complications, for example, if placental abruption occurs, the umbilical cord wraps around the neck, the water breaks too early, and the labor process is excessively delayed. 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. There may also be general weakness in the muscles, and possible tremors of the whole body. 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 adhesions, cyst formation, and 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 caesarean section, birth injuries, or 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, involuntary bowel movements and urination are possible.

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. The cervical spine must not be displaced. 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; the optimal temperature is 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 blood tests, EEG, to determine the causes of the seizure syndrome.

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 is necessary. It is enough to cool the baby’s body by any available means (sampling with a weak vinegar solution, a cold towel on the forehead and in the armpits, groin 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

Epilepsy is quite common in childhood, but its diagnosis is difficult. The children's body has an increased threshold for seizure activity, but most often they develop seizures 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 preschool children are:

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.
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.
Various infectious diseases. The earlier the child suffered an infection with seizures, the greater the likelihood of developing 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.
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 unreasonable fears, depressed mood, attacks of pain in various organs, and behavioral disorders. If these symptoms appear again and again, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment of epileptic seizures is always selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the child. There are no general treatment regimens. For each child, not only the optimal dosage regimen and dosage must be drawn up, but also the best combinations of medications. There is no quick cure for 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 seizures (more frequent and longer the seizures), the stronger the oxygen deprivation, that is, quite serious consequences can be expected. In this case, you should definitely show your baby to a doctor.

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