Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED for an afebrile seizure. "Afebrile" means without fever, and the seizure happened when the child's temperature was normal.
Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. During the seizure, your child might have passed out, and had jerking movements of their arms, legs, or face. Most seizures last only a few seconds or minutes.
Your child is probably very tired and might be confused. But the doctor thinks it is safe for your child to go home.
You might be waiting on your child's test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
Some children who have repeated seizures have a condition called "epilepsy." Children with epilepsy might need to take antiseizure medicines for a long time to help prevent seizures.
If this is the first time your child had a seizure and they did not have a fever, they might need a test called an electroencephalogram ("EEG"). This measures electrical activity in their brain. Your child might also need to see an expert in children's seizures, called a "pediatric neurologist." They can figure out if your child has epilepsy and whether they need any other treatment.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Give your child all their medicines exactly as instructed. Do not let their prescriptions run out.
●Talk with the doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any new medicines, vitamins, or supplements.
●Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep.
●If this is the first time your child had a seizure, they should avoid activities like swimming, riding a bicycle, contact sports, or rough play until they see a pediatric neurologist. The neurologist will tell you what activities your child can do and how to stay safe.
●If your child is old enough to drive, they should not drive until they have permission from their regular doctor or neurologist. For safety reasons, many states and countries have laws about seizures and driving.
●Make sure family, friends, and day care providers know what to do if your child has another seizure.
●If your child has another seizure:
•Lay them gently on the ground.
•Turn them on their side, and place a pillow or soft object under their head. Do not try to stop their movements.
•Move away things that might hurt your child if they hit them.
•Do not put anything in their mouth. Do not try to give them medicines by mouth.
•Use a clock or watch to time how long the seizure lasts. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes, call for emergency help.
•Pay attention to what their eyes look like and what body parts are moving during the seizure.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your child is having trouble breathing during a seizure.
•Your child's lips, tongue, or fingertips turn blue or gray during a seizure.
•Your child has a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, has another seizure right after the first one, or does not wake up within 30 minutes after a seizure.
•Your child has arm or leg weakness that does not go away once they wake up.
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child's seizure is only on 1 side of the body or only affects 1 arm or leg.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if your child:
●Has epilepsy, and is having seizures more often than normal
●Has new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Seizures (The Basics)
Patient education: Epilepsy in children (The Basics)
Patient education: EEG (The Basics)
Patient education: Seizures in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Treatment of seizures in children (Beyond the Basics)
