Convulsions in Pediatrics

Convulsions (cramps) in childhood are a manifestation of various diseases. Convulsions in children are among the acute conditions that need to be urgently addressed.

Spasm is a condition in which there is an excessive and prolonged contraction of various muscles. The spasm can affect one muscle or an entire muscle group. Convulsions that last more than 10 minutes are called prolonged convulsions. Recurrent convulsions are those that often recur.

Diseases related to the appearance of convulsions

 * Convulsions in diseases of the nervous system - These convulsions most often arise in connection with trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, congenital anomalies and epilepsy.


 * Convulsions during infection - Sepsis, tetanus, infections of the nervous system (inflammation of the meninges).


 * Metabolic spasms - Provoked by a decrease in blood sugar (diabetes, starvation) or a decrease in magnesium and calcium.


 * Convulsions in intoxications - They can be caused by drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid, alcohol or nicotine.


 * Febrile convulsions - They are formed at a temperature of more than 38 °C.


 * Psychogenic convulsions - This group includes convulsions in hysteria and affective convulsions. Affective convulsions arise in children mainly during conflicts. They begin with crying, then the baby holds his breath, turns blue and a spasm appears.

Epilepsy (paediatrics)

 * 1) Idiopathic (70–80% of all cases);
 * 2) Secondary - CNS malformations, occlusion of cerebral vessels, brain damage by congenital infection, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage);
 * 3) CNS tumors;
 * 4) Neurodegenerative diseases;
 * 5) Neurocutaneous syndromes.

Non-epileptic

 * Febrile convulsions;
 * Metabolic causes (Gly, Ca, Mg, Na);
 * Head injuries;
 * Meningitis, encephalitis;
 * Poisoning.

Treatment
First of all, it is necessary to provide a sufficient amount of oxygen for the body (to relax and secure the airways) and to eliminate varicose activity. The most widely used antispasmodic drug is diazepam at a dose of 2.5-5 mg < 15kg < 10 mg.

Only after the convulsions subside, it is possible to proceed to the treatment of the cause of their occurrence.

Diazepam dosage

 * In children - Rectal suppository.


 * 2.5–5 mg for weight up to 10 kg.


 * 5 mg for a weight of 10–15 kg.


 * 5–10 mg for 15–30 kg.


 * 10 mg by weight > 30 kg.

Related articles

 * Epilepsy (pediatrics) • Impaired consciousness and convulsions (pediatrics) • Convulsions