what do you do if a child is having a seizure (convulsion)?
CONVULSION!!!
◾️This is a very scary event for every parent! At this point, most parents are confused on what to do to help their child, while others do several things in a bid to stop the convulsion.
◾️We have seen many practices by parents when their child is having convulsion. Most of these practices are not only dangerous but makes the child’s condition even worse.
◾️ Many children who should have survived a convulsive episode have been pushed to their untimely grave because of something their caring mother or father did in order to save them.
◾️What are these dangerous practices:
❌ Putting palm kernel oil (also known as ude aki) or olive oil in the child’s mouth, on the child’s body, rubbing it in the eyes, nostrils, ear and anus.
❌ Giving the child urine (human or animal) to drink
❌Putting spoon in the child’s mouth
❌ Exposing the child’s body to fire or pouring hot water on the child.
❌ Giving the convulsing child a bath
◾️NOW TO THE CORRECT INFORMATION◾️
◾️Convulsion occurs when a child suddenly stiffens or jerks his arms and legs, rolls the black of the eye upwards, grinds the teeth with or without twitching of any part of the body. In small babies, it can even be seen as sudden cessation of breathing, darkening of the lips/body. The child can poo, urinate or have foamy saliva in the mouth. Even jerking of one hand alone in a conscious child can be a convulsion. So during convulsion, a child may be unconscious or conscious.
◾️Causes of convulsion (seizures) are many and may include infection of the brain, fever, malaria, changes in body chemicals, a baby who didn’t cry or breathe well at birth, brain damage from jaundice, injury or trauma to the head, family with history of convulsion. In some cases, no cause is found.
◾️WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE A CONVULSING CHILD
DO’s✔️✔️✔️
✔️ Gently lay the child on the left side of his body, it prevents saliva and stomach contents from entering the lungs. It also takes the child’s tongue away blocking air passage into the lungs and also away from the teeth, so that even if the child grinds the teeth, the tongue is safe.
✔️ Gently, slowly and carefully take the child away from any danger, if he/she is convulsing close to one.
✔️If you have a phone with a video camera, capture the convulsing child in a video. If you dont, carefully observe the movements made by the child and how long the convulsion lasted. It could be very valuable to a paediatrician in determining the best drug for the child.
✔️When the child stops convulsing, take him/her to the nearest hospital. Once stabilized, quickly take the child to a paediatrician
✔️Loosen any tight clothing
DON’Ts ❌❌❌
❌Do not put anything into the child’s mouth (no oil, spoon, urine, drug etc)
❌Do not shake the child
❌Do not restrict the child’s movement
❌Do not crowd over the child, allow free flow of air.
Source: Paediatricians Gives Answers
