• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Toddlers & Seizures

January 25, 2011 by ds_25061 Leave a Comment

Between 3 to 5 percent of healthy children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years will experience a seizure due to fever, according to MedlinePlus. Within this age group, toddlers have the highest incidence of febrile seizures. It is important to seek medical care if your toddler has a seizure.

Seizures

Seizures are sudden, brief lapses of conscious activity. These episodes may last anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes. A period of confusion or drowsiness often follows a seizure. Your toddler is more likely to have a seizure if there is a family history of this disorder. Although febrile seizures don’t cause epilepsy, a child that experiences seizures due to fever may have a higher risk of developing epilepsy, according to FamilyDoctor.org.

Symptoms

The symptoms of seizure can vary. You may notice your toddler just staring into space for a few seconds, or he may experience shaking and twitching. During a seizure, he may fall from a standing or sitting position, roll his eyes back into his head, become unconscious, urinate, bite his tongue, stop breathing or vomit. He may groan or make crying noises during the episode.

Causes

Fever is the most likely cause of seizures in toddlers. Ear infections, roseola infantum, upper respiratory infections and meningitis can cause febrile seizures. Other possible causes of seizures include epilepsy, medications and brain injuries due to tumors, strokes, trauma or infection.

Actions

Observing your child experiencing a seizure can be a frightening experience. MedlinePlus recommends you leave your child on the floor during his seizure, only moving him if he is in a dangerous location. Place objects out of his reach and loosen any tight clothing. Turn him on his side or stomach if he vomits or seems to be choking. Avoid putting objects in his mouth to keep him from biting his tongue and don’t try to restrain him during his episode.

Warnings

While febrile seizures usually resolve on their own, it is important to contact your doctor to determine the cause of your toddler’s seizure. MedlinePlus advises that it is important to rule out the possibility of meningitis. Your toddler may require medical tests, including a lumbar puncture, to determine the reason for his seizure. FamilyDoctor.org recommends calling 911 if your child’s seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes or if he also vomits, has problems breathing, or has a stiff neck.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_25061

Piper Li, a professional freelance writer, began writing in 1989. Her articles appear in Modern Mom, Biz Mojo, Walden University and GardenGuides. She is the co-editor for "Kansas Women: Focus on Health." With a bachelor's degree in journalism from Mesa State, Li enjoys writing about health, horticulture and business management.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Coconut Oil

Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

“Coconut oil contains large amounts of lauric acid, a … [Read More...] about Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Upper Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy

Upper Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy

When to Take a Toddler to the Emergency Room With a Fever

When to Take a Toddler to the Emergency Room With a Fever

Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

How to Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

Painful Intercourse During Pregnancy

Painful Intercourse During Pregnancy

What Can I Use as an Egg Substitute When Baking Corn Bread

What Can I Use as an Egg Substitute When Baking Corn Bread?

fade hair color quickly

How to Fade Hair Color Quickly

safe to color Your hair while breastfeeding

Is it Safe to Color Your Hair While Breastfeeding?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.