Convulsion Health Dictionary

Convulsion occurring in a child aged six months to six years with a high temperature in which the limbs twitch; he or she may lose consciousness. The condition is common, with one child in 20 suffering from it. It is a result of immature homeostatic control (see HOMEOSTASIS) and is not usually serious, occurring generally during an infection such as measles or tonsillitis. The brain and nervous system are normal in most cases. Treatment is tepid sponging and attention to the underlying cause, with the child placed in the recovery position. It is important to rule out more serious illness, such as MENINGITIS, if the child seems particularly ill.... febrile convulsion

Rapidly alternating contractions and relaxations of the muscles, causing irregular movements of the limbs or body generally, usually accompanied by unconsciousness.

Causes The most common reason for convulsions is EPILEPSY, and the underlying cause of the latter often remains uncertain. In newborns, convulsions may be due to HYPOXIA following a di?cult labour, or to low levels of sugar or calcium in the blood (HYPOGLYCAEMIA; HYPOCALCAEMIA). A sudden rise of body temperature during infective illness may induce convulsions in an infant or young child.

Diseases of the brain, such as meningitis, encephalitis and tumours, or any disturbance of the brain due to bleeding, blockage of a blood vessel, or irritation of the brain by a fracture of the skull, may also be responsible for convulsions (see BRAIN, DISEASES OF).

Asphyxia, for example from choking, may also bring on convulsions.

Treatment Newborns with hypoglycaemia or hypocalcaemia are treated by replacing the missing compound. Infants with febrile convulsions may be sponged with tepid water and fever reduced with paracetamol.

In epilepsy, unless it is particularly severe, the movements seldom need to be restrained. If convulsions persist beyond a few minutes it may be necessary to give BENZODIAZEPINES, either intravenously or rectally. In the UK, paramedics are trained to do this; likewise many parents of epileptic children are capable of administering the necessary treatment. If however this fails to stop the convulsions immediately, hospital admission is needed for further treatment. Once ?ts are under control, the cause of the convulsions must be sought and the necessary long-term treatment given.... convulsions

Twitching or jerking of the limbs with loss of consciousness that occurs in a child after a rapid rise in temperature. Febrile convulsions are common, usually affecting children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. Convulsions are caused by an immaturity of the temperature-lowering mechanism in the brain, allowing the temperature to rise too rapidly in response to infections such as measles or influenza. Treatment aims to lower the temperature by sponging the child’s face and body with tepid water and using a fan. Seizures can often be prevented in susceptible children by giving paracetamol at the first signs of fever. Most children who have seizures suffer no ill effects. The risk of developing epilepsy is very small but is increased in children with a pre-existing abnormality

of the brain or nervous system, or children with a family history of epilepsy.... convulsion, febrile