$Unique_ID{PAR00287}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Emergency First Aid:  CONVULSIVE SEIZURES}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Siegfried, Donna M}
$Subject{CONVULSIVE SEIZURES head injury injuries epilepsy poisoning electric
shock drug withdrawal brain tumor bite bites poisonous insect insects snake
fever short cry rigid muscles jerk jerky twitch twitching lack breathing
breathe eyes rolled upward blue bluish face lip lips drooling foaming mouth
bladder bowel control loss unresponsive unresponsiveness confused confusion
sleepiness sleepy seizure}
$Log{
Step 6*0028701.tif}

The New Parents' Question & Answer Book


CONVULSIVE SEIZURES


CAUSES

     A convulsive seizure may occur because of a disturbance in electrical
activity in the brain.  This disturbance can be the result of a head injury,
epilepsy, poisoning, electric shock, drug withdrawal, a brain tumor, a bite
from a poisonous insect or snake, or a high fever (especially in young
children).


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  -  short cry
  -  rigid muscles
  -  jerky, twitching movements
  -  temporary lack of breathing
  -  eyes rolled upward
  -  bluish color in the face and lips
  -  drooling or foaming at the mouth
  -  possible loss of bladder and bowel control
  -  unresponsiveness
  -  confusion and sleepiness following seizure


EMERGENCY TREATMENT

1. Ease child to floor; lay child on side.
2. Remove any objects that child might strike, or move child away from
   dangerous areas.
3. Try to loosen clothing, but DO NOT interfere with movements or restrain
   child.
4. DO NOT try to open child's mouth.
   DO NOT put fingers or objects in mouth.
5. Stay with child until seizure is over.
6. When seizure is over, keep child lying down and turn child's head to side.
7. Check breathing.  If breathing stops, see MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION
   (previous section).
8. DO NOT give child anything to eat or drink.
9. Call 911 or operator, or transport child to emergency room.
10. If seizure is caused by high fever, sponge child's body with lukewarm
    water before transporting.  DO NOT put child in water.