Seizures in Children: Signs, Causes & When to Seek Emergency Care

Seeing a child have a seizure can be frightening for any parent or caregiver. Seizures can happen for many reasons and at any age, from infancy through the teenage years. While some seizures are brief and not life-threatening, others require immediate medical attention. At The Emergency Center, our team is trained to quickly evaluate and treat seizures in children, providing fast care and guidance during stressful situations.

Understanding what seizures look like, what to do during one, and when emergency care is needed can help parents feel more prepared.

Infants (Birth to 12 months)

Seizures in infants may look different than in older children and can sometimes be difficult to recognize.
Signs of seizures in infants include:

• Repetitive jerking or stiffening of the arms or legs
• Sudden, brief muscle spasms
• Lip smacking or unusual eye movements
• Changes in breathing
• Periods of unresponsiveness

Any suspected seizure in an infant should be evaluated immediately by a medical professional.

Toddlers & Preschoolers (1 to 5 years old)

Seizures in young children are often related to fever, known as febrile seizures, or infections.
Common signs include:

• Shaking or convulsions
• Loss of consciousness
• Stiff or limp body
• Rolling eyes or staring spells
• Sleepiness or confusion after the episode

Although febrile seizures are usually not dangerous, they can be alarming and should still be evaluated in an emergency setting.

School-Age Children (6 to 12 years old)

Seizures in this age group may be linked to epilepsy, head injury, infection, or metabolic imbalances.
Symptoms may include:

• Sudden staring spells
• Uncontrolled movements of the arms or legs
• Confusion or difficulty speaking after the seizure
• Loss of awareness

Children may not remember the seizure afterward, which can be confusing or upsetting for them.

Teenagers (13 to 18 years old)

In teens, seizures may be triggered by lack of sleep, illness, missed medications, stress, or substance use.
Signs include:

• Convulsions
• Sudden collapse
• Muscle stiffness
• Loss of bladder control
• Fatigue or headache after the seizure

Teenagers may feel embarrassed or frightened after a seizure and need reassurance along with medical care.

Seizures can be caused by many conditions, including:

• Fever or infection
• Epilepsy
• Head injury
• Low blood sugar
• Electrolyte imbalances

If not properly evaluated and treated, seizures can lead to complications such as injury from falls, breathing problems, or recurrent seizures.

If your child is having a seizure:

• 1. Stay calm and place them on their side
• 2. Remove nearby objects to prevent injury
• 3. Do not put anything in their mouth
• 4. Time the seizure if possible
• 5. Seek emergency care after the seizure ends

Call for immediate emergency help if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, happens repeatedly, or your child does not regain consciousness.

At The Emergency Center, we provide comprehensive care for children experiencing seizures. Our freestanding children’s emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and deliver hospital-level emergency care without long wait times.
We offer:

• Rapid evaluation by board-certified emergency physicians
• On-site lab testing to identify underlying causes
• Medication to stop active seizures when needed
• Monitoring and stabilization
• Coordination with pediatric specialists for follow-up care

Our team focuses on both immediate treatment and helping families understand what to expect next.

Any first-time seizure, prolonged seizure, or seizure accompanied by injury, fever, or breathing problems requires emergency evaluation. At The Emergency Center, we are here for life’s unexpected moments, ready to provide fast, compassionate care when your child needs it most.

The Emergency Center

San Antonio
11320 Alamo Ranch Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78253
Phone: 210-485-3644

Conroe
4019 Interstate 45 N,
Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: 936-247-9457