Medical records define convulsions as being associated with a disturbance in the function of the cortex of the brain such as can be demonstrated by the electroencephalogram (tracing of brain waves). Children are more prone to convulsions than adults and may outgrow the tendency.
Child convulsions usually occur before the age of five years and doctors say these are not related to epilepsy. During a convulsion, the body will twitch and jerk. Medical experts say these movements are caused by an overheated brain, which results from a high temperature or the start of an infection. The convulsion usually lasts no more than two minutes, often less. Doctors no longer recommend active cooling of a feverish child because this makes the fever recur.
The condition causing a convulsion may be serious. Therefore, a convulsion should be reported immediately to a physician. Meanwhile, though the cause is not yet known, doctors advise that the victim can be handled as follows:
1) Place the victim on something wide and soft such as a bed or a thick rug so that he will not be injured by his involuntary motions; if on bed, stand guard so that he will not fall off.
2) Loosen the clothing so as to reduce the danger of choking. Or, better yet, remove all clothing (including any bedclothes) to allow the child to cool down naturally, but do not sponge or fan the child’s skin. Try to turn the child onto one side, unless the convulsions are too severe and injury could result.
3) Put something blunt and soft (such as a small roll of cloth) between the victim’s teeth so as to hold the jaws apart and thus reduce the danger of his biting his tongue.
4) The convulsion will end within two minutes and the child will gradually regain consciousness. As soon as the twitching and jerking movements ease, turn the child onto his side.
5) It is important to place the victim on his side rather than on his back; for, particularly in the case of a child, there is danger of vomiting and choking on the vomitus. Do not leave the patient face down because of the danger of smothering. Always keep his face turned to one side.
6) Check that the airway is clear by sweeping one or two fingers around the mouth. Gently tilt the head back slightly unless the child is less than two years old.
7) Breathing is usually interrupted for brief periods during a convulsion. If breathing stops completely for more than a minute or two, administer artificial respiration.
8) In convulsions associated with high fever, reduce the body temperature as quickly as possible, wrapping the patient in a sheet wrung out of cold water. Then allow an electric fan to play on the wet sheet. This will cause rapid evaporation and will have a cooling effect. (Note: Do not put anyone with convulsions in the bathtub. The thrashing movements of the convulsion can cause injuries here. Furthermore, the first-aider will find it difficult to care for a person in a bathtub.)
9) When the convulsions have stopped, check the child’s pulse and breathing and note the result. Repeat the pulse checks every 10 to 15 minutes until the child is fully recovered.
10) As the child recovers, cover him up with a light sheet or a thin blanket, taking care not to overheat the skin.
It is necessary to seek medical advice promptly to treat the underlying infection and to avoid another feverish convulsion.
Medical records also show that in later childhood and adulthood, convulsions occur most commonly in epilepsy. Studies further reveal that convulsions may occur in persons with low blood sugar or low blood calcium. They may occur when the blood becomes more alkaline than normal as in hyperventilation, persistent vomiting, or the taking of too much alkali by mouth. They may occur when an alcoholic tries to break away from liquor or an addict of barbiturates or other sedatives tries to discontinue his drug.