Seizures in children


Seizures in children occur due to a sudden, electrical activity in the brain resulting in brief staring spells or muscle jerks to full-body convulsions. Though parents might be alarmed watching their child have a seizure one should know that not all seizures indicate a serious underlying condition. Seizures could also happen due to fever, infections, or a head injury. Seizures could be a one off episode or could be recurring episodes. If seizures are occurring regularly then they need further evaluation and treatment. Proper diagnosis and early treatment are essential to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.

Brain functionality during seizures


The brain is continuously communicating through electrical impulses. These impulses allow neurons (nerve cells) to communicate. When a seizure happens the electrical activity in the brain suddenly surges and disrupts normal communication between neurons. Depending on the location of the surge in the brain the corresponding parts of the body are affected.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What are the causes of seizures in children?


The causes for seizures in children range from common and benign to more serious medical conditions. Below are the main reasons for seizures in children:
  1. Febrile Seizures
    • These type of seizures are triggered due to fevers higher than 38°C or 100.4°F
    • Usually occur in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years
    • They are temporary and in most cases they are not associated with long-term neurological problems
  2. Epilepsy
    • Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. The child has recurrent, unprovoked seizures
    • There are genetic, structural, or unknown causes for epilepsy.
  3. Infections
    • Infections like meningitis or encephalitis of the central nervous system can trigger seizures
  4. Head Injury
    • Any past or recent head injuries can result in seizures
    • In infants sometimes birth related trauma could cause seizures.
  5. Electrolyte or metabolic Imbalances
    • hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)
    • Reduced levels of calcium, magnesium, or sodium levels
    • Genetic disorders that affect the food processing capability of the child.
  6. Brain Abnormalities
    • Congenital defects of the brain
    • Tumours or cysts in the brain
  7. Genetic Disorders
    • Dravet syndrome, Rett syndrome are few genetic syndromes that can trigger seizures
  8. Toxins or Poisoning
    • Long Exposure to toxic environments.
    • Wrong or excess Intake of medications, drugs
  9. Hypoxia (Lack of Oxygen)
    • The child might suffer from lack of oxygen at birth.
    • Hypoxia can also occur due to choking, drowning, or other causes
  10. Idiopathic (Unknown Causes)
    • An otherwise healthy child could experience seizures due to unknown reasons.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

Types of Seizures and Their Symptoms


1. Focal Seizures (Partial) – Affects only a part of the brain

  • Child is conscious and has impaired awareness
  • Hand or face Twitching
  • Sensations of tingling, fear, or déjà vu
  • The child will repeat certain actions like chewing
  • They appear “lost”

2. Generalized Seizures – Effect both sides of the brain


a. Tonic-Clonic
  • The whole body shakes
  • Total loss of consciousness
  • The body stiffens
  • Tongue biting
  • Bladder control loss

b. Absence Seizures
  • Temporary staring spells which last for few seconds
  • The child appears daydreaming
  • Post seizure tye child does not remember the episode.

c. Myoclonic Seizures
  • Mild or strong sudden, brief muscle jerks
  • May have loss of consciousness

d. Atonic Seizures
  • Loss of muscle tone and the child suddenly collapses.
  • May injure themselves since they might fall anywhere.

e. Tonic Seizures
  • During sleep the child stiffens

In Infants (under 1 year)

  • The child becomes stiff and limbs start to jerk.
  • The child is repeatedly bicycling legs and fluttering eyelids
  • The head drops suddenly
  • Unresponsive or poor response to stimuli
  • The body jerks in clusters upon waking

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What are the symptoms of seizures in children?


Seizures in children may differ depending on the type of seizure and the child’s age. The general symptoms of seizures in children are as follows:-
  • Staring spells
  • Sudden loss of attention
  • Jerky movements of hands and legs
  • The body becomes stiff
  • Unconscious
  • The child suddenly collapses falls with or without loss of consciousness
  • Fast fluttering or rolling eye movements
  • Repetitive movements like lip-smacking, chewing,
  • The child is confused and wavering
  • No bladder and bowel during the episode
  • Changes in the breathing pattern
  • The child is in a confused state.

When to seek immediate medical help for seizures in children?


  • When the child had the first seizure effect irrespective of their age.
  • If the child has not recovered from seizure even after 5 minutes
  • Child doesn’t wake up even after the seizure stopped
  • Repeated seizures happening regularly
  • Seizure due to fever, head injury, or illness

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

What to do when the child is having a seizure?


If a child is having a seizure, please stay calm, ensure their safety and note down as many details as you can.

Stay Calm

  • This is the most important step since most of the seizures are not life threatening .
  • The child will be able to deal with the seizure better if you are calm.

Details of the seizure

  • Watch the child closely and use a watch or to track how long it lasts.
  • Call emergency services if it lasts more than 5 minutes.

Ensure the child’s safety

  • If they’re standing or sitting, gently guide them to the ground.
  • Remove any objects that might harm them in case they collapse.
  • Remove any tight clothing around the neck like collars, or scarves.
  • Place a soft pillow to protect the head.

What not to do?

  • Do NOT try to forcibly stop the seizure by holding the child down or by any other method.
  • Do NOT put anything in their mouth such as your fingers.
  • Do NOT give anything to eat or drink during the seizure.
  • Do NOT try to forcibly wake them up.

After the Seizure (Post-Seizure Care)

  • Check Breathing
  • Stay With the Child
  • Make a detailed notes of what happened

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

How is a seizure diagnosed in children?


Diagnosing seizures not only involves physical examination and also a series of imaging tests. Some of these tests could last for more than a day. Below is the sequence of testing:-

Medical History


The doctor will ask for:-
  • The details of the seizure like time, duration and the behaviour of the child.
  • Did the child fall, loose consciousness, any injury?
  • Understand the triggers such as fevers, infections, trauma to the brain, or family history .
  • Any developmental delays
  • It is often suggested to record a video of the suspected event.

Physical & Neurological Exam


The doctor checks for the following symptoms :-
  • Reflexes, Muscle tone and strength
  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Movements of the eyes
  • Pupil reactions

Electroencephalogram (EEG)


EEG is the most important test since it measures the electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. The test also detects abnormal brain wave patterns.
Types of EEGs:
  • Routine EEG that lasts for 20–60 minutes)
  • Prolonged EEG for 24–72 hours
  • Video EEG monitoring combines EEG with video . It captures the seizure events in real time. EEG help identify where in the brain the seizures are starting.

Brain Imaging

  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is the best for studying brain abnormalities like tumors, malformations, scarring, etc.
  • CT scan is faster and is used used in emergencies

5. Blood Tests


Blood tests determine if there are any medical or metabolic causes. The following parameters are measured>-
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Blood sugar levels
  • Infections
  • Genetic or metabolic disorders
  • Toxin exposure or drug levels

Genetic Testing

  • If the child is experiencing seizures at a very young age
  • Developmental delays
  • Family history of epilepsy
  • If the imaging tests or MRI suggest genetic epilepsy

Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

  • This test is performed in case of infection to central nervous system infection like meningitis or encephalitis.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

Who can diagnose a seizure?

  • Paediatrician
  • Pediatric neurologist
  • Epileptologist specialist in epilepsy

What are the treatments for seizure in children?


Treatment for seizures vary according to the cause, type of seizure, the child’s age, and overall health. The aim is to control seizures, and help the child lead a normal life. The details of the treatments are as below:-

Anti-Seizure Medications (Antiepileptic Drugs – AEDs)

  • AED medication stabilises the electrical activity in the brain to prevent seizures.
  • The medication should be prescribed by a doctor only because they evaluate all the aspects and suggest the appropriate medicine.
  • Sometimes a combination of medicines are also given.

Treating the Underlying Cause


If the underlying cause can be identified then they are treated so that seizures can be prevented. Few examples are:-
  • Infections are treated by appropriate antibiotics or anti-virus medications.
  • Surgery can help in cases of brain tumors or lesions.

Ketogenic Diet

  • Keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet used in children with epilepsy. Ketones can help in reducing seizures. So by eating a keto diet the body uses ketones for energy instead of glucose. It works best in case of drug-resistant epilepsy.
  • The diet must be carefully monitored by both a neurologist and a dietitian.

Rescue Medications

  • These emergency medications are given if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

  • A small device is implanted in the chest. With the help of the vagus nerve this device will send electrical signals to the brain.
  • It works best for drug resistant epileptic children or those who are not candidates for surgery

Epilepsy Surgery

  • The surgery can be performed when the point of origin of the seizures in the brain has been located through the imaging tests.

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

About Isha Specialty Clinics, Hyderabad


Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your pediatric and newborn care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive pediatric services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics are located at convenient locations in Hyderabad Manikonda in the nearby Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors


Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)


Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-
  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology


Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. He has saved many lives with his excellent treatments for palpitations which are heart related. Dr. Nithin Annarapu is practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics


Pediatric Care

  • Newborn and infant care
  • Immunization
  • Growth and development monitoring
  • Preterm baby management
  • Childhood overweight management.

Heart treatment

  • Mitral valve replacement surgery
  • Heart valve replacement and repair
  • Coronary Angioplasty
  • Coronary Angiogram
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Angioplasty

Pain treatment

  • Thoracic epidural injections
  • Cervical epidural injections
  • Intraarticular joint injections
  • Nerve Block
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
  • Lumbar Epidural Injections

For expert pediatric care and treatment for seizures, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

For emergency care or appointments, contact Dr. Swathi Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020. Book an appointment today for expert pediatric care.

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