Types of Epilepsy in Children

Epilepsy is a diagnosis that just means "seizure disorder." A seizure has also been called a "fit" or "convulsions" and symptoms vary from blank staring to violent shaking. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. According to the Mayo Clinic, 1 in 100 people will have a seizure at some time in their lives. In order to be diagnosed as having epilepsy, a child needs to have had 2 or more seizures. Seizures by themselves are not dangerous but may cause injury depending upon where the child is during the seizure.

Staring or Absence Seizures

• These types of seizures are characterized by a brief (usually about 10 seconds) period of staring into space. Some describe them as "blanking out." A child having an absence seizure, also called petit-mal seizure, will not respond but appears to be staring into space, daydreaming. In a complex petit-mal, there may also be chewing motions or other minor muscle involvement. Some children also blink or rub their fingers together. After the seizure is over, the child is completely alert. Most absence seizures begin between ages 4 and 14 to children who are developmentally normal. Most are outgrown by the age of 18. In general, the younger the child when he begins to have petit-mal seizures, the more likely he will outgrow them.

Drop Seizures

• Also called atonic (without tone) or akinetic (without movement) seizures, a child having these may be walking or playing and suddenly fall to the ground. These episodes last only a few seconds before he is up and resumes activity. Some children have several drop seizures in sequence. The child may be cheerfully playing when all of a sudden, she begins to cry and then falls down. When the seizure is over, she gets up cheerfully and continues to play. For those witnessing a drop seizure like this one for the first time, the child appears to be "faking." The potential for getting hurt during a drop seizures is great. Some children wear a helmet to prevent head injury.

Infantile Spasms

• The characteristics of infantile spasms are arms reaching out and stiffening. Depending upon the baby's position, the head may fall forward or back The knees may also flex especially if she is lying on her back. These seizures have their onset at the age of around 3 months. Once a child is no longer an infant, the diagnosis of infantile spasms no longer applies, whether or not she still has epilepsy.

Grand Mal Seizures

• Grand mal seizures are also called tonic clonic seizures because there is a stiffening of muscles and loss of consciousness followed by rhythmic jerking of muscles. It may be most obvious in the muscles of the limbs or face. Some children cry out at the beginning of a seizure. Even toilet trained children may lose control of their bladder or bowels during a grand mal seizure. After having a few seizures, a parent or child may recognize an aura that occurs prior to the onset of a seizure. The aura is a warning of an impending seizure. Parents sometimes report that a child becomes irritable or fussy for no other apparent reason prior to having a seizure. Auras vary and one child even reported that before a seizure, she always felt as though she had something fuzzy on her nose.

What to Do if Someone Has a Seizure

• In the presence of a child having a seizure, safety is most important. If the child falls, help him to the ground while protecting his head and make sure the area is free of something he might bump. Never place anything in his mouth. The tongue is connected to the floor of the mouth. It can not be swallowed. An object placed in the mouth can be a choking hazard. Call for help. In some cases, emergency help is necessary. In the case of a child with a known seizure disorder having his usual type of seizure, calling his parents or following his regular plan of management may be enough.