Convulsions in children
Seizures in children are quite common. They can occur for many reasons. The most common of these is that the brain in young children is in the process of development, which leads to increased excitability of the baby's central nervous system. The walls of blood vessels in children are very thin, which makes it easy for infections and harmful factors to penetrate. As a result of this influence, the child may develop cerebral edema, which is accompanied by convulsions.
Also, various factors that affect the development of the baby in the womb, during childbirth and in the first few months of the baby's life can lead to the appearance of seizures.
Content:
- Epileptic seizures in children
- Non-epileptic seizures in children
- Choking cramps in newborn babies
- Birth trauma seizures in children
- Convulsions in infectious diseases in children
- Other causes of seizures in children
- Febrile seizures in children
- First aid for seizures in children
- Treatment
Epileptic seizures in children
All seizures in children are divided into two groups - non-epileptic and epileptic, and the first can eventually develop into the second. The diagnosis of "epilepsy" to a child can only be made by a doctor, having thoroughly studied the history of his illness. At the same time, the specialist pays attention not only to what kind of influence the baby was exposed to, but also whether he has a hereditary predisposition to seizures.
If there is no reason to think that the parents could have transmitted the disease to the child, the child's central nervous system is not affected, the electroencephalogram does not show characteristic changes and there are no specific personality traits in a child under five years old, then doctors refrain from the diagnosis of epilepsy.
Non-epileptic seizures in children
Non-epileptic seizures in children are common and can be caused by many problems. Asphyxia, birth trauma, congenital malformations and defects of the central nervous system, heart defects, diseases of the vascular system and much more can cause convulsions in newborns.
In children of all ages, seizures can be the result of intoxication, vaccinations, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders.
Due to the fact that the diagnosis is associated with serious research, after the first attack of seizures, the child should be hospitalized to find out the reason for this behavior of the body.
Below are the most common causes of seizures in children.
Choking cramps in newborn babies
Choking, or asphyxiation, is the most common cause of seizures in children. This occurs as a result of circulatory disorders, due to an excess of carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen in the blood and tissues. Most often, this phenomenon leads to cerebral edema and punctate hemorrhages in it. In this case, the child needs immediate medical attention, since his prolonged stay in this state leads to tissue scarring and brain atrophy.
Convulsions against the background of asphyxia in newborns occur in cases when childbirth proceeds with complications - the umbilical cord is twisted around the baby's neck, the amniotic fluid leaves prematurely, labor is delayed or placental abruption occurs.
The seizures stop almost immediately after the child is brought out of the asphyxia state. In this case, the cerebral edema passes and the condition of the newborn is normalized.
Birth trauma seizures in children
Intracranial birth trauma in children is most often accompanied by seizures due to cerebral hemorrhages. In this case, they are usually local in nature - a spasm of the muscles of the face or limbs occurs. General muscle weakness may also be observed, as an extreme manifestation of generalized cramps of the whole body. As a rule, at the same time, the child's face or whole body turns blue, breathing is difficult, and vomiting may appear.
If intracranial bleeding opens in a newborn and it is not stopped in time, seizures may appear on the fourth or fifth day after birth as a result of an increasing hematoma.
There are cases when such seizures appear later - after two or even three months, but already in a fairly stable form. This is due to damage to the brain tissue due to its scarring, the appearance of adhesions or cysts. The impetus for a seizure in this case can be injury, preventive vaccination, or infection.
Convulsions in infectious diseases in children
Seizures during infectious diseases affect both children who have suffered birth trauma and healthy babies. This is due to the toxicity of the virus that attacks the body and affects the nervous system.
Most often, seizures appear in young children at the time of the acute phase of diseases such as ARVI and influenza with fever.
In the case of childhood infectious diseases (measles, rubella and chickenpox), seizures occur at the peak of the rash.
With meningitis, encephalitis and other neuroinfections, seizures manifest themselves in tension of the whole body, accompanied by cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure and, as a rule, disappear after the temperature returns to normal.
Other causes of seizures in children
Sometimes children get seizures as a reaction to the vaccine. This problem is especially acute for babies who have suffered birth trauma, asphyxiation or exudative diathesis. Since these children have a high degree of convulsive readiness, prophylactic vaccinations are contraindicated for them.
Another, no less urgent problem for children, leading to convulsive seizures, is metabolic disorders, in which there is a lack of trace elements such as potassium, magnesium and calcium in the body. Convulsions in this case are most often manifested by a distortion of the face.
All manifestations of seizures in children in infancy are most often associated with congenital abnormalities or birth trauma. If they appeared against the background of infectious or other diseases and did not stop after the child recovered, then it is necessary to consult a doctor to exclude the possibility of developing epilepsy.
Febrile seizures in children
Febrile seizures in children can develop only up to a certain age - up to 5-6 years. In this case, muscle spasms occur against the background of a high body temperature, during any disease. The most dangerous period in terms of the development of febrile seizures is considered to be from 6 months to 1.5 years. They develop in about 5% of children. However, if such seizures happened at least once, then the probability of their recurrence is 30%.
Convulsions accompany influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, teething of milk teeth, allergic and post-vaccination reactions of the body. At the same time, even a decrease in body temperature with the help of antipyretic drugs does not prevent their development.
Convulsions appear approximately 24 hours after the onset of the fever. They can be simple or complex. With simple seizures, the arms or legs tremble, and with complex seizures, many muscles are involved. In the latter case, the child loses consciousness. In this case, the legs first begin to reduce, then the hands and the whole body are involved in the pathological process. The baby's chin will be raised up, the head tilted back, the skin turns blue, sweating intensifies, and profuse salivation is observed.
During an attack, the child may stop breathing for a short period of time. When the peak is passed, the back begins to relax, then the face, and last of all the lower limbs. After such seizures, the child experiences severe weakness and really wants to sleep.
First aid for seizures in children
If the child develops seizures, then the primary task of the parents is to call an ambulance. Do not give in to panic, you need to remember the time of the onset of the attack and what preceded it. All information must be reported to the arrived doctors. You can film the attack if you can't describe it in words.
A child with convulsions should be placed on a firm, level surface. The baby should lie on its side, this will allow him not to choke on saliva or vomit. If the child's legs are reflexively pulled up to the stomach, then there is no need to straighten them. You need to put a towel roller under your head.
It is imperative to clear the airways by clearing the mouth of mucus with a handkerchief or napkin. If there is a possibility that the child has an epileptic seizure, a wooden object, such as a spoon, should be inserted between the teeth. Previously, this item is wrapped in a cloth. You can also tie a knot on a towel and insert it into your baby's mouth. This will avoid severe trauma to the tongue.
To ensure the flow of fresh air, you need to open the windows. You should not do anything else on your own, you must wait for the arrival of doctors.
The following actions are prohibited:
- During a convulsion, do not try to give the child water or other drinks.
- Do not give your child any medications.
- Do not try to unclench your teeth yourself and insert iron objects into your mouth. By such actions, you can simply break them, and small parts will enter the respiratory tract, which will lead to an attack of suffocation.
- Do not try to straighten limbs that are cramped, as this increases the likelihood of a fracture.
- You can not pour cold water on the child, give him artificial respiration, perform a heart massage if he continues to breathe on his own.
Treatment
Doctors visiting the scene should receive as much information as possible about what caused the seizure. Resuscitation measures and their success depend on this. Infantile generalized seizures require the introduction of Seduxen or Relanium. The dose depends on the age of the child.
If the child has uncomplicated febrile convulsions, or affective-respiratory convulsions, then after providing first aid, doctors can leave the baby at home. In other cases, the child is hospitalized.
Video: Febrile seizures in a child: what to do? - Doctor Komarovsky:
Therapy most often comes down to the emergency administration of anticonvulsants, intravenous administration of saline, vitamins and minerals. If the child has tetanus, then tetanus serum is administered to him.
If seizures are associated with neurological diseases, then the child is prescribed nootropics and sedatives.
After discharge from the hospital, the child should be monitored by the local pediatrician. Long-term use of anticonvulsants is possible. Be sure to prescribe vitamins and minerals. The kid should spend as much time as possible in the fresh air, eat right. Parents should focus their efforts on strengthening the child's immunity.
The author of the article: Sokolova Praskovya Fedorovna | Pediatrician
Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Volgograd State Medical University. A specialist certificate was immediately received in 2014.
