Fits, Faints and Funny turns

There are many reasons for childhood “funny turns”. Your medical practitioner will have given you a likely diagnosis and this leaflet contains links for further information on some of the commonest causes of funny turns in childhood. This leaflet is designed to alert you should your child’s symptoms change and advice as to where to get help. It helps to have a video of your child’s episodes to take to any medical appointments.

If your child has for the first time any of the following:

If they become unconscious and do not recover after 5 minutes
If they have a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
If they have >3 episodes in one day
Becomes confused or unaware of their surroundings (for longer than 30 mins)
Develops weakness in their arms/ legs or starts losing their balance
Develops problems with their eyesight
Collapses during exercise/ strenuous activity
If your child remains unconscious place your child on their side until help arrives as seen below (see picture).

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following at any time:

If they have more than one convulsive seizure in a week (Convulsive = unconscious with arms and legs stiff, sometimes shaking)
Loss of consciousness but has quick recovery (less than 5 minutes)
Change in their behaviour or excessive tiredness
Develops a persistent headache that doesn’t go away (despite painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen)
Develops a headache that wakes them from sleep
If your child has known epilepsy follow personalised care plan and contact named nurse if have concerns