My Child Had a Fit (Seizure) — What Should I Do?

If your child has had a seizure (commonly called a "fit"), you are probably very scared and have many questions. This article will explain everything in simple words — what seizures are, what to do if one happens, and when to see a doctor.

What is a Seizure?

A seizure happens when there is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This can cause shaking, stiffening, staring blankly, or other unusual movements. The child usually does not feel pain during a seizure. Most seizures stop on their own within 1–3 minutes.

Having one seizure does not automatically mean your child has epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed only if seizures keep happening again and again without any obvious trigger (like fever).

Types of Seizures You May See

Shaking seizure (Tonic-Clonic): This is the most dramatic type. The child may cry out, become stiff, then shake rhythmically, and may lose consciousness. There may be some saliva or foam at the mouth.

Staring seizure (Absence): The child suddenly goes blank — staring into space for 5–30 seconds — then comes back to normal. Parents often mistake this for daydreaming or not paying attention.

One-sided twitching: Only one arm or one side of the face twitches, while the rest of the body is still.

Febrile seizure: This is a very common type in Indian children aged 6 months to 5 years. It happens when a fever rises very quickly. Febrile seizures look scary but are usually harmless and do not cause brain damage.

What to Do During a Seizure

• Stay calm. Seizures look frightening but usually stop on their own in 1–3 minutes.
• Gently lower your child to the floor and put something soft under their head.
• Turn them on their side (recovery position) to prevent choking if they vomit.
• Remove any hard or sharp objects from nearby.
• Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.
• Time the seizure — look at the clock when it starts.
• Stay with your child until they are fully awake and aware.

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT put anything in the child's mouth — no spoon, no cloth, no fingers. This is an old myth that can actually cause injury. Children do not swallow their tongue during a seizure.
• Do NOT try to hold the child still or stop the shaking by force.
• Do NOT give water or food while the child is not fully awake.

When to Call for Emergency Help

Go to the hospital immediately if:

• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes without stopping
• The child does not wake up after the shaking stops
• The child is having difficulty breathing
• There is a second seizure within a short time
• The child is injured during the seizure
• This is the very first seizure your child has ever had

What Happens at the Doctor?

The doctor will ask you questions about the seizure — how long it lasted, what the child was doing before, whether there was fever, etc. An EEG test (brain wave test) is often done to look at the brain's electrical activity. An MRI scan may also be ordered. At Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center in Chanda Nagar, Dr. Anand Karnam performs and interprets EEG tests on the same day.

"Most children with epilepsy can have their seizures completely controlled with the right medicine. Early diagnosis makes a big difference — do not wait."

Can Epilepsy Be Treated?

Yes. About 70% of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with the correct medication. Most children with well-controlled epilepsy lead completely normal lives — going to school, playing sports, and growing up just like any other child.