Dr Chinwe Ude
Paediatrics

Expert advice: What to do if your child suffers a seizure for the first time

Published: 14/06/2023

Edited by: Sophie Kennedy

Naturally, parents may be very concerned about their child’s health should they experience a seizure of any type. In this informative guide for parents, revered consultant paediatrician Dr Chinwe Ude shares her expert guidance on the key next steps to take in this scenario.

What do seizures in children look like?

Seizures in children can present as apparent loss of consciousness with or without abnormal movement of part or whole of the body. They can also present in very subtle ways like vacant spells or just an “odd sensation or feeling”.

When seizures occur in a child, especially for the first time, it is a normal for parents and carers to feel distressed and frightened. Many parents and carers are also uncertain of what to do in the aftermath of a seizures and can continue to feel uncertain about their child’s future health and wellbeing.

What should I do if my child has experienced a seizure?

Your child would need urgent medical attention if they have had seizure or if you suspect they may be having subtle seizures. If they are very unwell, are unresponsive or there are associated symptoms like fever or a rash, they should be taken to hospital immediately.

If their symptoms are more subtle and the child is otherwise well, you must arrange a consultation with a paediatrician who has particular expertise in managing and treating seizures in children. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that following their first seizure, children should be seen within two weeks by a paediatrician who is experienced in managing seizures and/or epilepsy. You can make this appointment by contacting your GP and requesting them to make a referral to an NHS or private paediatrician. You can also book directly with a paediatrician who can see your child outside of the NHS setting.

If you are concerned that your child may have suffered any type of seizure and wish to schedule a consultation with Dr Ude, you can do so by visiting her Top Doctors profile.

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By Dr Chinwe Ude

Paediatrics in Kent

Dr Chinwe Ude is a highly respected consultant paediatrician based in Chatham, Kent. She is renowned for her expertise in children’s seizures, chronic headache and sleep disorders and also specialises in gastrointestinal problems, allergies and intolerances and constipation and abdominal pain. Dr Ude has additional expertise in paediatric neurology, movement disorders and cerebral palsy. Dr Ude qualified in medicine at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, the country’s leading academ...

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We will call you back

By Dr Chinwe Ude
Paediatrics

Dr Chinwe Ude is a highly respected consultant paediatrician based in Chatham, Kent. She is renowned for her expertise in children’s seizures, chronic headache and sleep disorders and also specialises in gastrointestinal problems, allergies and intolerances and constipation and abdominal pain. Dr Ude has additional expertise in paediatric neurology, movement disorders and cerebral palsy.

Dr Ude qualified in medicine at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, the country’s leading academic institution, in 2003. After relocating to the UK, she pursued further specialist training, including an extended period of training in neurology at Cambridge University Hospital, Addenbrookes. She completed a postgraduate diploma in paediatric and child health at University College London in 2013. Dr Ude was appointed as a consultant paediatrician at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in 2016, where she continues to run weekly clinics in general paediatric care, epilepsy and neurology. In addition, she is currently clinical lead of the Trust’s Paediatric Epilepsy Neurology Service and also holds a variety of supervisory responsibilities for children’s units, including the Paediatric Emergency Department and the Paediatric Assessment Unit. Dr Ude works in partnership with various highly esteemed agencies, including the Child Brain Injury Trust and Cerebra, to provide the best possible care for children and young people with epilepsy. She is renowned for her skill in connecting with young patients and is passionate about providing highly personalised care according to the needs of each individual. She sees private patients at the Spire Alexandra Hospital in Chatham, Kent.

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr Ude holds a number of key positions and is a working group member for NHS England’s Children and Young People Transformation Programme for Epilepsy. She is also clinical lead for the South Thames Paediatric Network’s Epilepsy Operational Division Network and is a Medical Advisory Committee member at the Spire Alexandra Hospital. Dr Ude is a passionate proponent of children’s health and is proud to serve as a Health Advocate and Advisor for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, a group which provides specialist nurses who help to enrich the lives of children living with life-limiting medical conditions. She also volunteers as a befriender for Age UK Medway.

Dr Ude is also actively involved in education and is an honorary lecturer on Brighton University’s MSc paediatrics programme. She is also a member of The Howard Academy Trust, which promotes high educational standards for children. Dr Ude is a fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and is a member of the British Paediatric Neurology Association and the South Thames Paediatric Epilepsy Group.

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