Symptoms of Epilepsy in Children

Symptoms of epilepsy in children: Normally brain cells communicate with each other through electrical signals and electrical activity between them. As long as brain functions normally the electrical activity remain healthy.

But when there is a burst of abnormal electrical activity the brain signals go haywire and thus affect normal brain processing abilities. In this way, brain signals get affected.

Which means the normal brain signals go abnormal and cause disruption in the normal connections between the neurons, disturbing the electrical activity and signals.

In children, this may be due to a high fever or a brain concussion, a brain disorder or neurodevelopmental disorder. In adults, drug withdrawal, alcohol, low blood sugar levels or a high fever can trigger an epileptic seizure.

But when a child has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.

Seizures are of many types and the main two categories include focal partial seizure (partial seizure) and generalized seizure.

The symptoms of a child with a seizure depend on the type of seizure the child is experiencing. In general, the warning signs and symptoms of a generalized seizure include the following:

Looking confused, dull or in a haze

Loss of consciousness

Stiffening of the body

Falling suddenly without having any apparent reason or cause – Associated with loss of consciousness.

Rapid blinking of eyes – periodic eye blinking and staring

Jerking movements of the arms and legs

Staring

Showing no response to others

Remaining non-responsive to noises or words for brief periods

Breathing problems or stopping breathing

Loss of bowel or bladder control

Rhythmic nodding with loss of awareness or consciousness

Other Symptoms of Epilepsy

  • Partial or focal seizure affects only one side of the brain whereas generalized seizures affect both the sides of the brain.
  • In absence seizure, a child seems to be daydreaming or not paying attention
  • The child experiences jerking of the body, repetitive movements, strange smell, rising feeling in the stomach and unusual sensation in the mouth

Learn More about Epilepsy – Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms and Treatment