Seizures, fits or convulsions (uncontrollable shaking) in children can be caused by fever, head injuries, epilepsy and other conditions.
Signs of a seizure
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness (blackout)
- Trouble breathing
- Stiffness or jerking of arms and legs
- Eyes rolling back Head arching back
When to seek help
Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance as soon as a seizure starts.
If you're waiting to go to an emergency department, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and speak to a registered nurse.
Care during a seizure
Do
- move your child to a safe position on the floor/ground and take away any sharp objects that may hurt them
- stay with your child
- write down the time the seizure starts and what happens to your child during the seizure so you can tell the ambulance officers and doctors.
Do not
- hold your child
- leave your child alone
- put anything in your child’s mouth
- give your child any food or drink.
Immediately after a seizure
- Roll your child onto their side
- Talk to your child calmly until they have fully recovered, or help arrives.
You can learn more about caring for a child who is having a seizure by completing a first aid course.
Last updated: October 2023