Convulsive seizures are relatively common nervous system in children. Childhood seizures can occur in the baby in different periods his life, and they are connected with different reasons.

Seizures may be associated with harmful factors, which can occur both during the period of intrauterine development of the fetus, and during. Such factors can affect the baby after birth, in the first months of his life. Seizures are much more common in children than seizures in adults.

Causes of seizures in children

Due to the fact that the brain in children at an early age is not yet mature enough, they have low threshold excitability of the central nervous system and, accordingly, a tendency to convulsive reactions. In children early age there is a high permeability of the walls of blood vessels, so cerebral edema under the influence of harmful factors (toxic effects, infections, etc.) develops very quickly. They are accompanied by a convulsive reaction.

Seizures in children are usually classified into non-epileptic and epileptic . It happens that the first eventually develop into the second. But one can talk about epilepsy in a child only if the doctor confirms the diagnosis after a detailed examination and study of the medical history.

Non-epileptic seizures the child may appear relatively often. Convulsions in newborns can occur in connection with asphyxia, injuries received during childbirth, with the manifestation of defects in the central nervous system, diseases of cardio-vascular system and etc.

In addition, seizures in children can be a consequence vaccination , intoxication of the body, infectious diseases, as well as metabolic disorders. Therefore, when convulsions appear, it is necessary to immediately conduct a comprehensive examination of the child and find out what reasons led to this phenomenon.

The most common causes of seizures in children are the following situations. Convulsions in children immediately after birth may develop due to asphyxia. Due to suffocation, blood circulation is disturbed, develops cerebral edema, and hemorrhages appear in it. In such a situation, the baby needs to be provided with timely professional assistance, because with prolonged asphyxia, the tissues are scarred, and brain atrophy.

Often, convulsions due to this cause develop during complicated childbirth, when there is an entanglement of the umbilical cord around the neck, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, placental abruption. As soon as the child is taken out of this state, the convulsions stop, and the baby's condition returns to normal.

Convulsions are also accompanied by intracranial injuries received during childbirth. Most often, such seizures in children occur local , that is, there are facial cramps, or cramps in the legs in children. Sometimes these children have muscle weakness, and in severe cases, general convulsions of the whole body. If an infant who has just been born has intracranial bleeding, and assistance is not provided to him in time, then convulsions appear about 4 days after birth. Sometimes seizures occur later, a few months after the birth of the child. The reasons for this phenomenon are damage to brain tissue due to scarring. In this case, convulsions in infants may occur due to vaccination, infection, trauma.

The trigger for a seizure in this case may be trauma, preventive vaccination or an infection. Convulsions can be observed if the child has a congenital defect in the development of the central nervous system.

With the development of infectious diseases, convulsions can occur both in children who have suffered injuries during childbirth, and in completely healthy babies. A toxic virus that attacks the child's body negatively affects his nervous system. As a result, the symptoms of the disease are manifested, among other things, by convulsions.

Very often, convulsions occur in children under one year old in the acute phase or. If the child has chicken pox , then convulsions may appear at the peak of the rash. With neuroinfections, convulsions in children occur due to an increase. At the same time, the whole body is tensed. After adequate treatment of diseases is carried out, and the temperature returns to normal, convulsions stop.

Sometimes the occurrence of seizures in children can be associated with a response to management. The risk of seizures is especially high in children who have a high degree of convulsive readiness. Therefore, the parents of such children must know how first aid is provided for convulsions. To do this, you can not only familiarize yourself with the relevant rules, but also watch the video. But if the child has previously suffered asphyxia, birth trauma or exudative diathesis , then he most likely will not be given preventive vaccinations.

Seizures in children can also occur due to disturbances in metabolic processes. As a result, the body is deficient in certain minerals ( magnesium , potassium , calcium ).

But if daytime and nighttime cramps in children develop without apparent reason, then parents should definitely consult a doctor to exclude development.

Types of seizures

Given the nature of muscle contractions, are determined tonic and clonic convulsions . tonic convulsions children are relatively prolonged contractions muscles, due to which stiffening of the limbs in the position of flexion or extension is observed. In this case, the child's body is stretched, and the head leans towards the chest or throws back. For clonic seizures are characterized by dynamic contractions of the flexor and extensor muscles. As a result, rapid involuntary movements of the trunk, arms, legs are noted. Often also occurs tonic-clonic convulsions, when there are two phases in an attack. If we determine the extent of involvement skeletal muscles, then local (partial ) and are common (generalized ) convulsions.

Febrile convulsions in children develop in children under the age of six. They occur when high temperature. You can talk about febrile convulsions if we are talking on the occurrence of seizures in children who have not had seizures before. Such convulsions are associated with the immaturity of the nervous system and occur against a background of high temperature. One of important factors in this case, the genetic predisposition to convulsions. With febrile convulsions, the child is completely removed from the outside world, he can turn blue, hold his breath. Sometimes such convulsions occur in series, but they rarely last more than 15 minutes. Treatment of this condition is carried out only with the participation of a doctor. When they appear, it is important to provide the correct first aid.

Respiratory-affective convulsions develop in a child due to strong emotions. This is a kind of hysterical reaction to an emotional shock. Such convulsive seizures are observed in children during the period of life from 6 months to 3 years.

Symptoms

For seizures in a child throws back the head, limbs stretch forward. Most often the baby loses consciousness He clenched his teeth and rolled his eyes. In some cases, foam appears on the lips. The body is tense, but the limbs may twitch, or they completely open and freeze. The baby may have blue lips, involuntary urination or loss of feces also occurs.

After an attack, the child becomes lethargic, drowsy, he often does not remember what happened to him, he may not be able to navigate in space.

Diagnostics

Thus, when evaluating convulsive seizures, the doctor must take into account information about heredity, the health of parents, about previous diseases during pregnancy by the mother of the baby, about pathologies during childbirth. The collection of anamnesis involves determining the nature and characteristics of convulsive seizures. In particular, it is important to determine when the seizures occurred, how the seizure started, how often the seizures recur, and other important points.

In the process of diagnosis, the doctor receives important data during electroencephalography. Also practiced is the study of the fundus, which allows you to detect some pathologies in children. If necessary, also assigned CT scan , pneumoencephalography , angiography , spinal tap and etc.

First aid for seizures

If parents notice that the child is starting to have seizures, then the first thing to do in this case is to call ambulance. During the waiting period for doctors, it is necessary to act actively. First of all, the baby must be rid of tight clothes and put it on its side. The child should lie on a flat and hard surface. If the baby is lying on his back, then turn his head to the side. During convulsions, it is necessary to ensure the patency of the airways. First you need to clear the mouth of mucus. To prevent biting his tongue and allow air to enter, he needs to put something between his teeth. It can be a handkerchief or a folded piece of cloth. If a child puts something hard in his mouth, he can break his teeth. In order for the room to have fresh air, you should immediately open the window.

With convulsions that occur during crying, it is important to create the most calm environment around the crying child. If noted seizure with a strong crying child, then he needs reflexively restore breathing . You can sprinkle the baby with water, press on the root of the tongue with a spoon, let him breathe with ammonia. You can also pat your child on the cheeks. After that, it is recommended to depressant. You can use the usual tincture of valerian at the rate of 1 drop per 1 year of the baby's life. Sometimes, with strong tension and lack of breathing, the baby has to do artificial respiration . But it should be done only after the end of the attack, since this method is not practiced during the attack.

If the child shows febrile convulsions, it is necessary to take measures to lower the body temperature. The baby needs to be given an antipyretic (,), undress him, make a wrap with vinegar, or try to bring down the body temperature by other methods. Until the convulsions are over, the baby must be constantly monitored. You can give him water only after the convulsions have ended.

If at high temperature and convulsions there is pale skin, blue lips and nails, chills, cold feet and palms, then we are talking about pale fever . In this case, it is impossible to cool the child's body. It needs to be warmed up and given an injection or at a dose of 1 mg per 1 kg of weight in order to expand the vessels.

Children who are prone to febrile seizures , no need to take to the bath, let out on the street during the hot period of the day. A child who is prone to convulsions with an increase in body temperature should not be left alone if her growth is noted.

After the baby was given first aid, he was hospitalized in the neurological department of the hospital.

Treatment of seizures is carried out only after the diagnosis is established and, above all, consists in the treatment of the underlying disease. In the course of treatment, anticonvulsants, appoint thermal procedures, massage. It is also practiced to use antipyretic drugs , dehydrating agents , as well as drugs that improve metabolic processes in the body.

Febrile convulsions in children with high body temperature is not a rare pathological condition that can simply shock unprepared parents. Mom and dad begin to shake their arms and legs, their heads become cloudy, confusion appears. Meanwhile, your child needs your urgent first aid, because delay in this situation can be deadly. We offer you a material that tells in detail what causes convulsions in children at a temperature, how to recognize them and what to do in this situation so as not to harm the baby and provide him with the necessary amount of first aid.

Causes of seizures in children

The most common cause convulsions in children is a high body temperature with profuse sweating. Here, 2 regulatory mechanisms are immediately involved - humoral and cerebral. At the humoral level, against the background of large fluid losses, a violation of the water electrolyte balance occurs, since a large number of magnesium and potassium ions. This can be negatively displayed on all muscle fibers without exception, including the heart muscle. Therefore, the first rule in case of an increase in body temperature in a child is to provide as much as possible plentiful drink clean water. It is advisable to use special solutions type "Rehydron". It contains all essential trace elements that prevent the development of seizures in children.

The cerebral mechanism for the development of this syndrome lies in the incorrect algorithm of the thermoregulatory apparatus. With an increase in body temperature, an increase in blood viscosity occurs, and there is a violation of the thermodynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid. Against this background, a false epileptic seizure may develop with clonic reduction of the lower and upper limbs. The condition is very dangerous, because without the provision of timely medical care, the child may die from suffocation as a result of respiratory arrest against the background of spasms of the intercostal muscles.

A less common cause is damage to the central nervous system. They can be congenital as a result of a violation of intrauterine development of the fetus or acquired, for example, after suffering viral meningitis, against the background of otitis media or the consequences of a head injury. In this case, convulsions are accompanied by a number of others, specific symptoms. Among them, one can note the tension of the occipital muscles, the inability to unbend the leg bent at the knee, photophobia and cerebral vomiting.

How to recognize febrile seizures in children?

Febrile seizures in children develop against a background of high body temperature. This condition is even incorporated into the name itself. pathological condition. The word "febrile" in Latin means "temperature".

Recognizing them at high temperatures is not difficult. First of all, this general state baby. Skin hyperemic, and before the onset of an attack, they turn pale sharply and may even become slightly cyanotic. The whole body is covered with a cold sticky sweat. The kid becomes even more inhibited, stops responding to a direct appeal to him. He seems to fall into a stupor in anticipation of a convulsive seizure.

During the development of an attack, the child's body is stretched, he begins to experience a lack of air, twitches are visible on large muscles. The total duration of convulsions at high temperature can be from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The longer this condition is not stopped, the more dangerous the consequences can be. Very often after the first attack follows the second, third. 5% of affected children develop epilepsy.

What to do with seizures in a child?

So, we figured out how and why seizures occur in a child. What to do in this case? Of course, immediately call an ambulance and begin to provide first aid as soon as possible. You should always have drugs to reduce high body temperature in your first aid kit. V childhood The drug of choice is Paracetamol. It is also necessary to have in stock several ampoules with papaverine hydrochloride, analgin, diphenhydramine or suprastin. This is the so-called "Troychatka" or "Lytic mixture". It contains all the necessary components for a rapid decrease in body temperature and relief convulsive syndrome. If you don't know how to do it yourself intramuscular injections, then you can enter all these drugs rectally in the form of microclysters. Dissolve the pre-necessary dosage in 20 - 30 ml of boiled water. warm water to speed up the absorption process. How to calculate the dosage lytic mixture for a child, read with this material.

Remember!!! It is impossible to give any medicine to the baby through the mouth in case of an attack. This can lead to their aspiration into the respiratory tract and asphyxia (suffocation).

At the first sign of convulsions in a child, undress him, wrap him in a wet diaper moistened with a weak solution of vinegar. This will help to quickly reduce the heat. Enter rectally, depending on age, 150-200 mg of paracetamol (preferably in the form of a suspension). Lay the baby on its side and turn the head down. Hold the arms and legs to prevent possible injury. After the attack has been relieved, give a single dose according to the age of any antihistamine and watch your water intake. Over the next 10 hours, to prevent a relapse, it is required to give the baby at least 1.5 liters of pure water or a solution of Regidron.

Be sure to call a doctor or an ambulance, since only an experienced specialist can exclude such a cause of seizures in a child as viral or serous meningitis. This disease is also accompanied by a high body temperature and may initially resemble clinical signs typical SARS.

In brain cells, neurons, a variety of biological and chemical reactions that lead to excitement.

Excitation of brain cells is transmitted by a signal to the muscles, causing them to "work", that is, to contract. Also in the brain there is a brake mechanism that prevents indiscriminate contraction.

It happens that excitation occurs, but the brain decides to slow down the process and not send a signal to the muscle.

The occurrence of seizures depends on some stimuli(for example, from inflammatory process or traumatization), which excite cells, but do not encounter obstacles from the inhibitory mechanism, and since baby brain is still imperfect, the inhibitory processes are unstable and immature.

Types and signs

According to the duration of muscle contraction, convulsions are divided into:

• clonic(short-term, painless);
• tonic(prolonged, painful);
• tonic-clonic(short but painful or painless long muscle contraction).

Depending on the distribution, there are generalized(general) and local convulsions.

Local apply only to 1 muscle group and manifest themselves in one part of the body.

With this type of damage, any one area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe brain of one hemisphere is susceptible.

General cramps are a seizure that covers all the muscles of the body. Irritation occurs throughout the cerebral cortex.

According to their origin, convulsions are divided into:

• epileptic, which are the main symptom of a disease such as epilepsy;
• non-epileptic arising under the influence of extracerebral factors on brain cells.

According to the manifestation of convulsions of epileptic genesis, they are classified into the following types.

Minimum. This concept means readiness for convulsions, various tics, monotonous movements, twitching, trembling of the eyelids or lips, rolling the eyes, obsessive jaw movements, sucking, etc.

Primary generalized. This type of seizure is tonic, its duration does not exceed 60 seconds.

For such a state characteristic features are blue (cyanosis), twitching of the arms, legs, rolling of the eyes, tachycardia. Occurs most often in children older than 3 years of age.

focal motor. This species is characterized by twitching of muscle groups in one of the arms or in facial area, deviation of the head (usually back), the child is conscious.

Psychomotor (temporal). In half of the cases of the onset of a convulsive state, some events precede: focusing the gaze, loud laughter, running or brisk walking, licking the lips, uncharacteristic hand movements for the child.

Infantile spasms. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in children of the first year of life. They are characterized by pronounced contractions of one / group muscle fibers(ticks).

Usually such spasms do not bring pain, but their development may be associated with various pathologies neurological nature. In children exposed to this species convulsions, there is a slowdown in psychomotor development.

Mixed generalized. They are characterized by very frequent, uncontrolled muscle contractions. Often children lag behind in psychomotor development.

Febrile. Such convulsions may appear in children older than 3 months. The occurrence of spasm is associated with an increase in body temperature (38 and above).

This type is referred to as simple convulsions, provided that they appeared once and lasted no longer than 15 minutes.

If a spasm, as a reaction to an increase in temperature, occurs periodically and lasts more than 15 minutes, then it is classified as "complex" and subject to mandatory treatment.

Febrile Seizures in Children - Home Economics Program

Benign familial. This phenomenon is typical for babies with a history of childhood convulsions in one of the family members.

Juvenile myoclonus epilepsy. With such convulsions, loss of consciousness does not occur. This phenomenon is distinguished by a variety of manifestations: from banal clumsiness to loss of balance and falling.

Benign epilepsy (rolandic). This phenomenon is accompanied by a decrease in vision or visual hallucinations and is typical for children from 4 to 13 years old. Stop at puberty.

Benign with early onset. They are found in children 4-5 years old. Manifested by pale skin increased sweating, bouts of vomiting with rolling eyes and throwing back the head, disorder of consciousness. Often the manifestations are noted at night.

Affective-respiratory. Such convulsions appear in children whose nervous excitability to pain or fright is greatly increased.

It develops with a loud cry, a slight delay in breathing and is manifested by blanching of the skin, a short-term loss of consciousness.

Convulsions of non-epileptic origin. These include psychogenic convulsions, fainting, migraine convulsions, sleep disturbance, tics, obsessive states, shuddering and twitching.

Causes of occurrence:

• infectious lesions of the brain;
• the use of alcohol and drugs by a woman during pregnancy;
• disease endocrine system;
• tumors, cysts, anomalies of brain vessels;
• lack of calcium in the child's body;
• poisoning medicines, toxins;
• an overdose of vitamin D;
• hypothermia.

Why are seizures dangerous?

Seizures in and of themselves are not dangerous. for the child's body. However, if a cramp occurs, for example, during a meal, there is a risk that the baby may choke.

Same way, in case of loss of consciousness, in case of a fall a child can hit a hard surface (floor), which can injure himself in the form of a bruise, fracture and other injuries.

The most important thing to remember is that seizures can be a symptom of very serious diseases Therefore, at the first case, it is important to seek the advice of a specialist.

First aid

Seizures in children usually last no more than 1 minute., but even this time is enough to cause panic in parents.

It is important to understand that the seizure is unstoppable, so any attempt to "bring the baby to life" is a waste of time.

Instead, it should call an ambulance, but before her visit, help the child on her own. This will help protect the child from the consequences and possible injuries.

What to do with convulsions in a child? If an attack has begun, first of all it is necessary:

If before the cramp the baby started crying and turned blue, it is important to restore his breath. You can do this by splashing your face with water, bringing a cotton swab with ammonia to your nose, and pressing on the root of the tongue (with a spoon).

After these manipulations, you can give the child sedative drug like valerian.

Convulsions that arose against the background of an increase in temperature, also require competent intervention. Need to:

• undress the child
• open windows (to reduce temperature environment and supply of fresh air into the room);
• give antipyretic drug(better in the form of rectal suppositories);
• to manipulate rapid decline body temperature (wiping with water, vinegar or alcohol diluted with water, exposure to cold on the carotid and femoral arteries).

Convulsions - the school of Dr. Komarovsky

Treatment

At the first seizure of convulsions in a child, it is important to immediately contact a specialist (neurologist) who will determine the origin of the disease and prescribe the necessary therapy.

If the baby has a seizure and the specialist suspects brain damage or epilepsy, electroencephalography is prescribed, which determines the presence / absence of increased nervous excitability of brain cells.

If the specialist suspects metabolic disorders, you will need to donate the child's blood for biochemical analysis.

Treatment of seizures is aimed at eliminating the pathology that led to the occurrence of the phenomenon.

Therapy for non-epileptic seizures is very important, since such seizures can eventually develop into convulsions of epileptic origin.

As for the treatment of the second group of seizures, they also require long-term antiepileptic treatment. Regular seizures in a child are life threatening.

Therapy is prescribed only by a specialist!

Consequences

The most serious consequence of seizures is the development of epilepsy.

Research shows that febrile convulsions can transform into this terrible disease in almost 10% of cases.

Prevention

Measures to prevent seizures in a baby should begin long before he is born. Doctors advise parents 3 months before the planned conception, take folic acid orally.

This measure reduces the risk of developing pathologies of the nervous system of the unborn baby.

After the birth of a child, it is important to undergo planned examinations with him. in which the baby is examined by a neurologist.

At the age of 1 month you need to conduct an NSG study, which makes it possible to identify early stages any pathology in the brain.

Important role plays prevention of febrile seizures. Here it should be noted the expediency of taking antipyretics if necessary.

Seizures in a child- a very unpleasant and frightening phenomenon for parents. But knowing the basics emergency care and knowing how to remain calm, loving mom and dad are able to alleviate the suffering of the baby.

Further contact with a specialist will help prevent the development of adverse effects.

Diet and massage for convulsions in a child Convulsions in children - varieties

Every parent should know what convulsions are in a child. This symptom is quite frequent occurrence in childhood. The body of the baby grows and develops, which requires large energy costs and is accompanied by the consumption of trace elements, a change 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 serious illness. Therefore, mom and dad should be able to recognize children's 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 appear with the participation of the brain. They are conditioned neurological diseases or complications chronic pathologies reflected in the work of the cerebral cortex. Regardless of the mechanism of development, there are several types of seizures:

• Clonic is a kind of muscle twitching. The episode can last several minutes, during which there are constant contractions of individual muscle fibers. Such seizures often characterize convulsions in babies under one year old, appearing as a result of the age-related formation of the musculoskeletal system;
• Tonic spasms - look like prolonged stress muscles without episodes of relaxation. They are felt in one muscle group - calf, sole, back of the thigh. Such an attack lasts several minutes, is accompanied by immobilization of a part of the limb and the onset of pain;
• Mixed - such an episode lasts several minutes, tonic and clonic spasms can 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.

According to localization, two types of seizures in children are distinguished:

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

Expert opinion!

What to do with seizures in a child? 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 appointment of special anticonvulsant drugs will be required.

Causes

Convulsions in a child are manifested under the influence of pathogenic factors that affect the muscles or the nervous system, provoking muscle contractions. Let's consider such reasons regarding their mechanisms of development.

Causes of seizures without fever

This is the largest group of provoking factors that affect blood vessels and nerves - they can be congenital and acquired. Contribute to the appearance of a symptom, both in babies and in older children.

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

• mental instability;
• Heredity;
• birth trauma;
• Violation of blood circulation and metabolism;
• Dehydration;
• Lack of vitamins and minerals;
• Acquired diseases.

If the child has caught an infection accompanied by a fever, convulsions may occur at a temperature. In this case, there are temporary violations of the physiology of the cerebral cortex, which sends impulses to the muscles.

Causes of night cramps

Convulsions in a child’s sleep or when falling asleep are usually tonic, they capture one muscle group. The symptom occurs against the background of muscle relaxation - after outdoor games or a long walk.

Night cramps in children during sleep appear under the influence of the following reasons:

• malnutrition;
• prematurity;
• Frequent illnesses;
• Rapid growth of the child, increased activity;
• Periodic stress, developmental delays.

Interesting!

These 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.

Seizures after vaccination

Some children after DTP vaccinations or ADS may cause seizures that stop within a couple of days. The symptom is explained side effect drugs that affect the functioning of the cerebral cortex. If the baby has previously had spasms, he can be exempted from vaccinations for a certain time according to the doctor's indications.

Spasms with dehydration

Why does it reduce the legs of a child - 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 disturbed, the muscles cease to fully relax, and spontaneous contractions occur.

Dehydration in children is caused by:

• Liquid stool;
• blood loss;
• fever and high fever accompanied by increased fluid consumption.

Usually, with the loss of water, convulsions appear after 5-7 days. Contractions are common in nature - they capture part of the 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 trace elements, damage occurs muscle tissue poisons circulating in the blood. In children, poisoning appears:

• With an infectious infection;
• With the erroneous use of medicines, household chemicals;
• Due to food poisoning.

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

Spasms during a tantrum

Here the cause is a strong emotional lability, which leads to disorders of the innervation of the legs. It occurs in conflicts with other children, parents or caregivers, after a fall, injury, unpleasant memories. The support of loved ones and a visit to a child psychologist will help correct the situation.

Chronic illnesses trigger seizures

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

• Diabetes;
• Meningitis;
• Diseases thyroid gland;
• Pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
• Oncology;
• Epilepsy.

On a note!

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

The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Symptoms can occur at any age - both in infants and adolescents. Dr. Komarovsky claims that periodic convulsions (especially against the background of elevated temperature) up to 6 years is a variant of the norm. The formation of the nervous system takes place in the child, all organs grow and develop - there are small deviations in the physiology of the young organism.

The main thing is to monitor the baby and try to eliminate the provoking factor: if spasms are preceded by fever should not be allowed to occur. If an illness occurs due to dehydration, it is necessary to control the drinking regimen.

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

Associated symptoms

The first signs of illness in a child are recognized by any parent - the baby feels pain, immediately starts screaming and attracting attention to himself. Babies can't explain their complaints - so mom or dad needs to know characteristic symptoms convulsions according to external manifestations:

• The limbs are straightened or in a bent position;
• The muscles are tense;
• There is incontinence of urine and feces;
• If the spasms are generalized - the head is thrown back, paralysis is observed;
• Foam may be released from the mouth, the baby loses consciousness.

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

Diagnostics

The beginning of the diagnosis is a visit to a neurologist. Parents tell the doctor how the seizures pass, against the background of which they appear. The doctor asks questions of interest, 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 ( ultrasonography) skull - to detect circulatory disorders;
• Blood and urine tests - allow you to determine diabetes by sugar levels, thyroid disease by the concentration of hormones;
• Consultations of related specialists depending on the symptoms - ophthalmologist, surgeon, pediatrician.

According to the conclusion, a diagnosis is made, where the main pathology appears. If the search does not bring any results, convulsions should be considered age-related. And parents should, at the doctor's consultation, analyze the algorithm of emergency care.

First aid

If a child has recurrent seizures, parents should be aware of urgent measures to eliminate them. Such actions are aimed at reducing pain and the duration of the seizure, preventing complications and injuries.

First aid for convulsions in children:

• Lay the baby on a flat surface where the risk of injury is minimal. Remove all objects that the child may be injured;
• Lay the baby on its side, the head should lie on the pillow - this will eliminate suffocation with 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 there is a temperature, do wet rubdown you can turn on the fan.

The task of the parent is to prevent the child from falling out of bed or getting injured. It is strictly forbidden to take any drugs without the approval of a doctor, you can not bend or unbend the limbs by force, try to fix the baby in a certain position.

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

Treatment

The treatment of seizures in children has its own characteristics. Unlike adults, medication is not allowed, and physiotherapy is carried out with caution. Diet and massage worked well.

Diet

A balanced diet maintains the level of vitamins and minerals. The menu is compiled in such a way as to provide the growing body with everything necessary.

The weekly diet should include the following foods:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Milk, cheese, cottage cheese;
• Dried fruits;
• Greenery;
• Cereals;
• Eggs;
• fish;
• Lean meats;
• Nuts.

Products and method of preparation are selected taking into account age. The listed components can be alternated for a variety of menus. Overeating is not allowed. It is desirable to eat in small portions 5-6 times a day. Dinner should be light.

Massage

Such treatment can be carried out for children of all ages - from infants to adolescents. The most effective would be to conduct sessions in a specialized salon - but if this is not possible, you can do a warm-up at home. Regardless of the localization of seizures, a massage of all legs is done, including the following sequence:

• plantar surface of the foot;
• Calf muscles;
• Anterior surface of the leg;
• Back of the thigh. Then inner and front.

Massage begins with light stroking, followed by rubbing. Zhamkaning is done only in those areas where there is thick layer soft tissues.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy treatment is indicated only on prescription. The safest methods are:

• UVT (ultravovolnovy therapy);
• Magnetotherapy;
• warming procedures.

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

Prevention

Compliance preventive measures It 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 excluded;
• Bad habits are not allowed;
• The expectant mother must protect herself from infectious diseases;
• If possible, daily walks are made, special gymnastics for pregnant women is carried out.

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

• Eliminate or minimize the provoking factor;
• The child must comply with the diet and full physical activity;
• You can not skip physical education lessons;
• If necessary, sign up for a consultation with a child psychologist;
• Visit the pediatrician in a timely manner, follow all his recommendations.

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

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

Seizures in a child can occur at any age. Sometimes this does not pose any threat to his health. But there are times when similar manifestations threaten not only normal development nervous system, but also the life of the baby. How to recognize dangerous convulsions in time and how to solve this problem?

Causes of seizures in children

It is rather difficult to determine the exact causes of seizures, because they largely depend on their specific type. If we talk about harmless muscle contractions, they often occur as a result of sending impulses to nerve endings. This includes nighttime jerks when the child is dreaming or a temporary tic.

1. Seizures in newborn babies may occur due to a violation birth process, asphyxia and with a lack of oxygen, injuries during childbirth, and also due to metabolic disorders, availability diabetes mother or poor heredity.
2. In the first year of life, babies may be disturbed by convulsions caused by a mismatch in the development of organs and the nervous system, infection in the body that affects the central nervous system, a reaction to vaccination or colds.
3. For children older than 3 years, the number of causes increases dramatically. This already includes infectious diseases, head injuries, poisoning, spasms, hysterical seizures. In more serious cases, childhood neurosis can be the cause.

As a result, we can distinguish such provoking factors for the occurrence of seizures:

• emotional and mental disorders;
• brain immaturity;
• violations in the development and work of the central nervous system;
• traumatic brain injury;
• neuroinfection;
• perinatal encephalopathy;
• epilepsy;
• tumor or cyst;
• genetic disorders;
• hereditary predisposition;
• violation metabolic processes;
• diabetes;
• intoxication of the body;
• elevated temperature;
• meningitis;
• birth injury;
• asphyxia;
• hysteria;
• internal hemorrhages.

Signs of childhood seizures

A spasm is an involuntary muscle contraction due to a signal sent through the nerve endings. It is quite easy to notice them, because in most cases they have a pronounced character.

How seizures manifest:

• involuntary muscle contraction: twitching, tic, movement of limbs, distortion of facial features, pulsation;
• eye rolling;
• jaw clenching, teeth grinding;
• tension of the limbs, and constriction or pulling;
• blue lips and skin;
• involuntary urination;
• in severe cases, foam from the mouth and vomiting.

Alarm signs can be signs of neuropathy and hyperkinetic syndrome: muscle twitching, nervous tick, limb tremor.

How to recognize an epileptic seizure:

• the child falls to the floor;
• loss of consciousness;
• eyes roll back;
• the whole body convulses;
• jaws tightly clenched;
• foam appears on the lips;
• possible urination;
• at the end of the seizure, all muscles relax, and the child falls asleep. After awakening, memory loss is often observed for the period of the attack.

Types of spasms

Muscle contractions are not the same. There are such types of them:

1. Tonic - intense muscle tension, which is held for quite a long time.
2. Clonic - short-term tension alternates with relaxation, there is a pulsation or the so-called muscle twitching.

In addition, there are focal and generalized seizures. In the first case, the spasm occurs in a separate area and is concentrated locally. In the second, almost all muscle groups are involved, which leads to complete paralysis for a certain time. There are also groups of febrile and non-febrile spasms.

Febrile

Febrile seizures often occur in children during a cold or flu. Muscle contraction is observed at high temperatures.

This side effect feverish state. Of course, their occurrence is not the norm, but such short-term seizures do not pose any particular danger. They pass along with the cause of their occurrence - infectious or viral disease, so the treatment should be addressed specifically to him.

Non-febrile

Not only at temperature convulsions can occur. Non-febrile seizures occur due to a temporary disruption of adequate brain function. Often such events are isolated.

Seizures that occur during sleep are often associated with increased activity brain, i.e. dreams. However, in the presence of pathologies that provoke their appearance, involuntary urination of a sleeping child can be observed. At the age of 3 years, such a nuisance does not always indicate any disease. But in older children, this is out of the norm.

In the waking state of the child, such convulsions are much easier to notice. Epilepsy also belongs to this category. Often non-febrile seizures are accompanied by loss of consciousness. It can be either complete or partial, when the patient manages to cope with his body. In this case, there may be a stupor or a short-term loss of coordination.

Why are seizures dangerous?

The most dangerous are generalized convulsive conditions. They are characterized total loss control of the child over his body, turning off consciousness, serious consequences of convulsions.

The consequences of seizures are unpredictable.

During a seizure, the work of the brain is paralyzed, the supply of oxygen to its tissues stops.

This can provoke necrotic processes, affect the nervous and mental development child. Often such phenomena lead to a lag in the psycho-emotional, mental and physical development, decrease in intelligence.

At night, convulsions are most dangerous, because the child may need help, but no one will be around. They can even cause death, as they provoke a shutdown of vital necessary processes, lead to respiratory arrest, asphyxia.

There are cases when the victim suffocates due to the inhalation of foamy saliva, vomit, or due to the tongue falling into the respiratory tract. epileptic seizures are dangerous in that the child may injure himself or even bite off his tongue.

What to do if a child has seizures

What should I do if my child suddenly has seizures? Here much depends on the intensity and localization of the attack. If he cramps his legs, the best way relieve tension is stretching the limbs, massage. It is also recommended to act on the affected muscle with pain, for example, pinch or prick.

If your teeth are tightly clenched, do not try to unclench them. No medication or water should be given until the seizure is over. When the convulsions stop, check the child's pulse and breathing, the position of the tongue. Be sure to call an ambulance.

Diagnostics

After first aid has been provided, it is necessary to go to the hospital to find out the causes of the seizure and eliminate them. First of all, you need to contact your pediatrician. If the problem lies in the disruption of the central nervous system, in this case, a narrowly qualified specialist will help - a neurologist or neuropathologist, in case of metabolic disorders - an endocrinologist.

If the seizures are non-febrile in origin, an examination must first be carried out. A blood test can indicate a deficiency or excess of certain elements in the body. An important step is to study the state of the brain. For this, electroencephalography (EEG) is performed, which allows you to observe especially active areas of the brain. In the presence of serious problems CT or MRI may be needed.

Treatment of the disease

1. If seizures are not associated with age-related changes in the body and have pathological character need urgent treatment.
2. At high temperatures, it is necessary to take antipyretic drugs.
3. Additionally, other methods of lowering the temperature are used: sponging, cold compresses.
4. If the child loses consciousness, it is advisable to bring him to his senses and hold it until the doctors arrive. Will help ammonia, maintaining a conversation, tactile and visual contact. Don't panic in yourself or little patient. The doctor, if necessary, can inject a drug that relieves spasm. Once diagnosed, medications to suppress seizures, sedatives, and symptomatic medications may be prescribed.

The exact direction of treatment is determined by the final diagnosis. CNS disorders are treated with medications, psychotherapy, and other methods. Reflexology, massages, exercise therapy, wave and impulse effects on nerve endings and the cerebral cortex can become effective. Surgery may be required for severe brain disorders. In this case, a more detailed study is carried out, the child is prepared with the help of medicines.

Rehabilitation

The recovery process after a serious treatment of diseases that provoke seizures can last a couple of weeks or several years, it all depends on the specific type of pathology. Some diseases are not completely curable, so constant maintenance of therapy is necessary.

Often a child who has had seizures and the treatment of this problem needs rest. Should not be allowed stressful situations, large physical and intellectual loads. Art work helps a lot. V postoperative period it is mandatory to take medications that are prescribed only by the attending physician.

To observe the effects of seizures, it is necessary to undergo an examination from time to time. This includes not only monitoring the work of the brain and the nervous system as a whole, but also monitoring cardiac activity, the endocrine system and other areas. In the first year, an ECG is a mandatory measure. Subject to the recommendations of the doctor, the child will return to the usual rhythm of life very soon.

Prognosis and complications

Seizures can be either a single manifestation or have an adverse effect throughout the child's life.

For minor disorders or febrile manifestations severe consequences are extremely rare. The prognosis in such cases is very favorable.

In the presence of serious problems, the prognosis worsens.

Prolonged lack of treatment or progression of the underlying disease can lead to developmental delay, impaired motor function, metabolic processes, cause cerebral palsy and other pathologies.

Prevention

In order to reduce the likelihood of seizures, you need to take care of the correct mental and physical development of your child. Walking plays an important role in this regard. fresh air, physical activity, frequent contact with parents, especially mother. Older children should do exercises, and adults should help with this. It is also necessary to take care of the correct and balanced diet, because the lack of minerals and vitamins can also cause this problem.

doctor advises

If you notice convulsions in a child, do not ignore them, because it is better to play it safe and make sure that everything is in order. It is much better to fix the problem before it becomes permanent. And since children are not yet able to take care of their health on their own, the responsibility lies entirely with their parents.

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