Convulsion in children

What causes convulsion in a child? My child is four years old and has had convulsions twice: the first at one year and the second at three and half years – Mrs. Hassan, Kontagora

One of the commonest causes of convulsion in children is febrile illness (having or showing the symptoms of a fever) because of sudden rise in temperature; because high temperature can lead to convulsion. That is why mothers are advised to not to panic but to sponge a child when temperature is rising and also quickly treat the cause.

Another cause is cerebral malaria; parents are advised not to just be treating fever at home for days. Any kind of illness should be diagnosed early and treated appropriately in a hospital.

Bacterial and viral meningitis can also lead to convulsion, usually accompanied with stiffness of the neck.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can also lead to convulsion.

Brain injury, which sometimes mothers may not be aware of (like fall from a height) may lead to repeated convulsion in children. To make matters worse, sometimes the convulsion occurs days after the injury.

Lesions on the head with direct bearing on the brain may also cause convulsion.

Therefore, a paediatrician should thoroughly examine the child and do necessary investigations. Sometimes Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be necessary.