$Unique_ID{PAR00045}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Convulsions Without Fever}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Convulsions Without Fever Unconsciousness Stiffened body Jerking
thrashing movements Muscle spasm bladder bowel control Loss Deep sleep after
spasms Confusion sleepiness Epilepsy epileptic seizure nonconvulsive absence
seizures neurologist}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Convulsions Without Fever


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Unconsciousness
     - Stiffened body
     - Jerking or thrashing movements
     - Muscle spasms
     - Loss of control of bladder or bowels
     - Deep sleep after spasms end
     - Confusion and sleepiness after awakening

     HOME CARE
     - Protect the child from injury during jerking or thrashing movements.
     - Do not put your fingers into the child's mouth in an attempt to grab
       the tongue during a convulsion.
     - Call your doctor.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Call your doctor any time a child has convulsions.  The cause and
       treatment must be determined by a doctor.
     - Convulsions without fever may be caused by a variety of illnesses.
       Epilepsy is not always the cause.
     - If you find your child unconscious, consider the possibility that
       epilepsy or another illness has led to a fall and unconsciousness.
     - See your doctor if your child has any signs of epileptic seizures
       without convulsions (see table below).
     - Do not give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a child having convulsions.


     Convulsions (jerking movements or spasms of the muscles) that occur when
a child has no fever may be caused by many conditions.  Epilepsy is the
best-known cause.  Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes repeated
attacks, or seizures.  There are several forms of epilepsy, which are
identified by the type of seizure experienced.  (Although some forms of
epilepsy cause convulsions, other types do not; therefore the term seizure is
more properly used to describe an attack of epilepsy.)  The cause of most
types of epilepsy is not known.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Epilepsy must be diagnosed by a doctor.  However, epilepsy can be
suggested by the typical behavior that occurs in different types of seizures.

     In a generalized convulsive seizure, the child suddenly loses
consciousness and may cry out as the seizure starts.  The body stiffens, and
the child may fall.  Muscle spasms cause jerking or wild thrashing movements.
The child may lose control of the bladder and bowels.  When the spasms end,
the child may fall into a deep sleep and will usually be confused and sleepy
on awakening.  Sometimes there is a warning sensation (called an aura) before
this type of seizure begins, such as sleepiness, headache, yawning, or
tingling in the arms and legs.
     Generalized nonconvulsive (absence) seizures are so different from major
convulsive seizures that they are often not recognized as epilepsy--or may not
even be noticed.  The child may simply stare into space.  There may be rapid
blinking or fluttering of the eyelids.  The child remains conscious yet may be
totally unaware that the seizure is occurring.  If it is not recognized as a
seizure, it may be mistaken for a learning disability, not paying attention,
or simple daydreaming.
     In complex partial seizures the child remains conscious, but may sit
motionless or may make repeated or unusual movements.
     In simple partial seizures the child is conscious and may simply feel
tingling in the hands and feet.  The child may also perceive bad odors, see
flashing lights, or speak unintelligibly.


SYMPTOMS OF EPILEPTIC SEIZURES WITHOUT CONVULSIONS

     Staring into space
     Rapidly blinking or fluttering the eyelids
     Sitting motionless
     Making repeated or unusual movements
     Feeling tingling in the hands and feet
     Perceiving bad odors
     Seeing flashing lights
     Speaking unintelligibly

     HOME CARE

     Call your doctor any time a child has convulsions.
     Of course, you must immediately care for the child during the
convulsions.  The most important home care is to prevent your child from
injury during the thrashing phase of convulsions.  Do not put your fingers in
the child's mouth in an attempt to grab the tongue to prevent it from being
swallowed.
     If epilepsy is diagnosed, the doctor will give instructions for caring
for the child at home.  Until the seizures have been controlled, discourage
the child from climbing high ladders or tall trees.  Do not allow the child to
swim alone.  Otherwise, your child can and should live a normal life with only
minor changes in activities.

PRECAUTION

  -  If you find your child unconscious, do not assume that a fall was the
     cause.  Consider the possibility that epilepsy led to a fall and
     unconsciousness.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will perform physical and neurologic (nervous system)
examinations.  The doctor may order a variety of laboratory and diagnostic
tests.  A number of prescription medications that control seizures are
available.  The doctor may order blood tests to determine the amount and type
of drug to be used.  In difficult cases, your doctor may recommend
consultation with a neurologist (a specialist in diseases of the nervous
system).

RELATED TOPICS:  Choking; Convulsions with fever