Seizures (fits or convulsions) in children can be caused by a range of conditions including fever, head injuries and epilepsy. Whatever the cause, there are some steps you can follow to care for your child during and immediately after the seizure.
Signs of a seizure
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness (blackout)
- Trouble breathing
- Stiffness or jerking of arms and legs
- Eyes rolling back
- Head arching back
When to seek help
Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance as soon as a seizure starts.
If you're waiting to go to an emergency department, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and speak to a registered nurse.
Care during a seizure
If your child has a Seizure Management Plan, you should follow this in the event of another seizure. If you have not been given a Seizure Management Plan, here are some steps to follow:
Do
- move your child to a safe position on the floor/ground and take away any sharp objects that may hurt them
- stay with your child
- write down the time the seizure starts and what happens to your child during the seizure so you can tell the ambulance officers and doctors.
Do not
- restrain your child
- leave your child alone
- put anything in your child’s mouth
- give your child any food or drink.
Immediately after a seizure
- Roll your child onto their side
- Talk to your child calmly until they have fully recovered, or help arrives.
A first aid course may help you feel more comfortable with knowing what to do if you witness another convulsion in the future.
Developed by the Emergency Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.
Resource ID: FS212. Reviewed: July 2022.
Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.