Hesperian Health Guides

What to Do When a Child has a Seizure

In this chapter:

  • Learn to recognize warning signs that a seizure is about to begin, such as sudden fear or a cry. Quickly protect the child by having them lie on a soft mat or other place where they cannot hurt themself.
  • When a generalized seizure starts, do not try to move the child unless they are in a dangerous place.
  • Protect the child as best you can against injury, but do not try to forcefully control their movements. Remove any sharp or hard objects nearby. Remove eyeglasses if they are wearing them.
  • Between spasms, gently turn the childā€™s head to one side, so that spit drains out of the mouth and is not breathed into the lungs.
  • After the seizure is over, the child may be very sleepy and confused. Turn the child on their side and let them sleep. For headache, common after a seizure, give acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen.


HEAD PROTECTION
To protect the head of a child who often falls during a seizure, it may be wise to wear a helmet that protects her head, like a bicycle helmet.
A child with chin pad and helmet like hat
chin padding
A cage of wire that look like hat wrapped with cloth
You can make a ā€œcageā€ of stiff wire and wrap it with strips of inner tube, soft cloth, or sponge rubber.



This page was updated:04 Apr 2024