First Aid For Cramps in Children

Facts 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
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