Are childhood seizures life-threatening?

Convulsions in children can be life-threatening, especially when the cause is serious or not treated properly. If you find a child having a seizure, you need to see a doctor immediately and find out the cause. The causes include high fever, epilepsy, encephalitis, etc. Different causes can be treated with medication, physical cooling or surgery.

1. Febrile seizures

Febrile seizures are one of the most common causes of pediatric seizures, usually occurring in children between 6 months and 5 years old, and are easily induced when the body temperature rises rapidly. Although most of these seizures are benign and do not cause long-term health effects, they require immediate temperature control, such as:

-Medical cooling: Use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen, but use the medicine according to your doctor's advice.

-Physical cooling: Wipe the forehead, neck or armpits with a warm and wet towel while maintaining ventilation.

-Water supplementation: Provide the child with sufficient fluids to avoid dehydration that aggravates temperature fluctuations.

2. Epilepsy

If seizures occur repeatedly or are accompanied by a loss of consciousness, epilepsy may be the cause. This is a condition caused by abnormal discharges of brain nerves and requires long-term management:

- Anti-epileptic drugs: commonly used are phenobarbital, carbamazepine or sodium valproate. The doctor will choose according to the child's age and specific condition.

-Life management: Reduce children’s exposure to excessive light stimulation, avoid staying up late, and control excessive sugar intake in the diet.

- Cause detection: EEG or imaging examinations are performed to identify the cause, some of which may require surgical intervention.

3. Brain infection

Seizures can also occur due to infections of the nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis. These conditions are often accompanied by high fever, severe headache, and vomiting, and can be life-threatening if not properly managed:

- Anti-infection treatment: If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics (such as ceftriaxone sodium) are required for treatment; if the infection is viral, antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir) may be required.

-Intracerebral pressure control: When seizures worsen cerebral edema, mannitol may be needed.

-Symptomatic treatment: If convulsions recur, sedatives (such as diazepam) can be used as an auxiliary.

4. Other causes

In addition to the above reasons, electrolyte disorders (such as hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia), brain trauma or genetic metabolic diseases may also cause convulsions. These conditions require professional examinations for clear diagnosis and treatment.

Although pediatric convulsions have certain risks, early identification and correct intervention can significantly reduce the harm. Parents should closely observe their children's physical condition, build basic emergency response capabilities, and send them to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner when necessary to ensure the safety and healthy growth of the child.