Children with Epilepsy Need Plans to Stop Prolonged Seizures at School

To prevent a child with epilepsy from having a prolonged seizure that becomes a medical crisis, a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical report says health providers, families and schools should collaborate on plans for managing the child or adolescent with epilepsy, which may include delivering rescue medication in the school setting.

Rescue medicines can diminish the need for emergency medical services, hospital stays and lengthy recoveries, according to the report, “Rescue Medicine for Epilepsy in Education Settings.”

It will  of Pediatrics. But because each child and school setting is different, and local and state regulations vary, the patient’s doctor, family and school should work together to provide individualized action plans and medications.
The report’s authors said seizure management at school can be challenging, especially when school nurses aren’t available. In these situations, according to the report, simple but effective response plans can help untrained staff or volunteers recognize and properly manage a student’s seizure until medical help arrives.