A seizure can be a frightening thing to deal with, especially when it is a child who is experiencing it. A seizure is an instance of sudden changes in behavior due to a misfire of electrical activity in the brain. According to Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, there are several kinds of seizures that can occur in children, with some being more common than others. While most symptoms are noticeable, others are not so obvious.
Febrile Seizure
Kids Health, a website of the Nemours Foundation, says that febrile fevers can occur in children younger than 5-years of age when a fever reaches 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Although this can be a terrifying event, it is usually completely harmless. The symptoms can be mild or severe, including the eyes rolling back in the head, loss of consciousness, shaking of the body or trouble breathing. A child can have a simple febrile fever, which lasts no more than 10 minutes, or a complex febrile fever, lasting longer than 15 minutes. These seizes can occur more than once or only affect one side of the child’s body.
Epileptic Seizures
American Family Physician states that epileptic seizures are not commonly related to lesions or damage to the brain. A child experiencing an epileptic seizure may experience loss of consciousness and violent shaking. His eyes may roll back in the head as well as move rapidly from side to side. When the child comes out of the seizure, he could feel confused and frightened. He could also feel extremely tired and feel the need to sleep.
Absence Seizure
An absence seizure is also known as a petit mal seizure. This type of seizure is characterized by a sudden loss of conscious activity. The child could be playing or doing something normal, and suddenly begin staring off in space, unable to respond. There is no physical jerking as with other seizures, though these kind of seizures can be dangerous as well.
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure
This type of seizure is also known as a grand mal seizure, and while uncommon in children, it does occur. When a generalized tonic-clonic seizure occurs in a child, there is loss of consciousness, followed by convulsing over the entire body. The child will also clench the jaw, which can cause injury if the tongue or jaw is caught between the teeth. It is also possible for a child to lose control of her bladder or bowel during this type of seizure. A person should never try to put anything in the mouth of a child who is suffering a seizure, as it could causes choking.
