Protect the child, time the seizure, keep the airway safe and know when emergency services are needed.
Do not wait for WhatsApp or a routine appointment.
Call an ambulance now if the seizure is continuing, this is the first seizure, it lasts 5 minutes or more, repeats without recovery, breathing is difficult, the child is injured, or the child is not waking normally.
If 108 or 102 does not connect, call India’s unified emergency number 112. Do not leave the child alone.
During the seizure
Stay with the child and note the start time. Move hard or sharp objects away, cushion the head and loosen tight clothing around the neck. Do not restrain the movements and do not put a spoon, finger, medicine, water or food in the mouth. A child cannot swallow the tongue.
When the shaking stops, place the child on their side if breathing normally and watch colour and chest movement. Follow a prescribed rescue plan if the child has one and you have been trained. Do not drive while the seizure is continuing when ambulance care is available.
When to call an ambulance
Call 108 or 112 when a seizure lasts five minutes or more, repeats without full recovery, is the child’s first seizure, follows a major injury or possible poisoning, occurs in water, causes breathing difficulty or affects only one side with ongoing weakness. Call sooner whenever the child appears critically unwell.
After the episode, sleepiness can occur, but breathing and colour should remain normal and responsiveness should gradually return. Persistent confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, non-fading rash or new weakness needs emergency assessment.
Information that helps after the event
If another adult is present and safety is already managed, a short video can help a clinician distinguish seizure from fainting, shivering or another movement. Record eye position, limb movements, colour, responsiveness, fever, injury and how long recovery took.
Not every seizure means epilepsy. Fever-related seizures, metabolic disturbance, infection, injury and epilepsy are among different possibilities. The child needs a clinical assessment appropriate to the event rather than an automatic scan or an assumption that nothing more is needed.
Plan for recurrence when relevant
Families of a child with a known seizure condition need a written plan shared with school and caregivers. It should define usual events, rescue medicine, timing, emergency thresholds and post-seizure supervision.
Review medicine adherence, sleep, illness and known triggers with the treating team. Never stop a regular anti-seizure medicine abruptly unless the prescribing clinician directs it.
Common questions from parents
What should I do if my child has a seizure?
Short answer: A seizure requires urgent medical attention, particularly if it is the first episode, prolonged, recurrent, associated with injury or followed by poor recovery.
Keep the child away from objects that could cause injury and place the child in a safe position. Do not force objects, food, water or medicine into the mouth during the seizure.
Observe the approximate duration if you can do so safely. Information about fever, recent illness, medicines and what the movements looked like will help the treating team.
If your child is having a seizure, seek urgent medical care. Do not use the routine appointment form for immediate help.
Prepare other caregivers after a first event
Until the child has been assessed and a plan is clear, tell school or caregivers what happened and who to call. Supervise bathing and swimming closely and discuss activity restrictions with the treating clinician rather than imposing indefinite limits. The goal is sensible safety while the cause and recurrence risk are evaluated.
If rescue medicine is prescribed, every caregiver needs hands-on instruction, the exact time threshold and a check of expiry and storage. Keep a seizure record with date, duration, description, recovery and possible triggers; it is far more useful than relying on memory at a later appointment.
Call 108 or 112 for a seizure lasting five minutes or more, repeated seizures, breathing or colour change, injury, water involvement, poisoning concern or poor recovery. Put nothing in the mouth and do not offer food, drink or tablets until the child is fully alert.
Sources and scope
These sources support the general principles in this guide. Guidance cannot account for an individual child’s age, examination, medical history or local clinical circumstances.