Skip to contentFacts About Cramps With Small Children
- Cramps in young children are usually fever cramps or affective cramps
- Both fever cramps and affective cramps can cause short-term unconsciousness and twitching in muscles
- In case of fever cramps, protect the child from being injured and cooling the child
- Both fever cramps and affective cramps are benign conditions that do not cause problems in the long run
Background
- Fever cramps occur at approx. 3% of children most often aged 1-4 years ( fever cramps )
- Affective cramps always debut before the age of 2, occur at 3-4% and disappear at the latest in school age ( affective cramps )
- Although convulsions look very alarming, they are usually harmless
- Single short-term seizures do not lead to consequences
Typical symptoms and signs of fever cramps
- Warm forehead
- The back stiffens and bends backwards
- The eyes roll upwards
- Weights in the arms and legs
- The child can hold the breath and become blue in the face
- Short-term consciousness loss
First aid For Cramps
- Place pillows, blankets or towels around the child to protect it from hurting itself as a result of sudden movements
- Remove clothing and duvet to prevent the temperature from rising further
- Ensure the supply of cool air
- For example, moisten a towel in lukewarm water and “wash” the child with the damp towel
- When the cramps stop, put the child on the side
- As a rule, there will be a need for the child to be assessed in a children’s section, but not necessarily the need for hospitalisation
