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First Aid & Accident Precautions
For any child with periods of altered levels of consciousness--whether due to seizures or not--it is appropriate to counsel families regarding first aid and reasonable accident precautions (below). These precautions apply particularly until one year symptom free at the beginning of diagnosis as well as with significant changes in anticonvulsant regimens. Practitioners should be familiar with their state driving laws for patients with seizures and/or loss of consciousness.
First aid for seizures: What You Should Do
| Stay calm. |
| Lay the child down with head and body to the side. |
| Loosen tight clothing. |
| Place something soft under the head. |
| Clear the area of sharp or dangerous objects. |
| Do not place anything in the child’s mouth. |
| If the seizure persists for more than a few minutes, is followed by a prolonged "post-ictal" state, or is atypical, the child should be taken to the emergency room. |
| All first seizures require prompt medical attention. |
What You Should NOT Do
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Don't panic! |
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Don't put anything in the child's mouth--they'll just break a tooth. They're not going to swallow their tongue. |
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Do not restrain the child--it won't be helpful. |
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CPR is typically not needed or helpful. When the seizure is causing all of the body to contract, your attempt to force air into the lungs won't be successful. Here's what Dr. John Freeman writes: "The child will not die; his heart has not stopped; you do not need to do CPR. The body has a protective mechanism built in to prevent damage." (See Books.) |
Accident precautions
Restrictions placed on a child with seizures need to be individualized, taking into account the benefits of the child vs. the psychological repercussions. Life has its risks, whether or not you have seizures. Typical precautions include:
Consult your doctor about driving restrictions in your state. No biking around cars. No climbing higher than the child’s height. 1:1 supervision around water, including the bathtub. (Showers are usually left unsupervised.) Lakes and oceans are particularly dangerous. Life jackets can be life saving. Set hot water temperature in the house to lower than scalding temperature. Routine sports are allowed. Use common sense.
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Disclaimer: This Web site is presented as a resource to patients by Pediatric Neurological Associates. There are no commercial sponsors. This information does not constitute medical advice; nor is it a substitute for discussion between patients and their doctors. The views of cited references do not necessarily represent the views of our staff. This information was last modified 05/01/06.