---
title: "Do not pour water on the child during an epileptic seizure!"
description: "epilepsy, epilepsy in children"
url: https://uha.com.tr/do-not-pour-water-on-the-child-during-an-epileptic-seizure
type: article
language: en
last_updated: 2026-02-23
category: saglik
---

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## ÜHA Hakkında
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# Do not pour water on the child during an epileptic seizure!

## Bilgi

| Özellik | Değer |
|---------|-------|
| **Kategori** | saglik |
| **Yayın Tarihi** | 2024-02-15 |
| **Güncelleme** | 2026-02-23 |
| **Kaynak** | [Üsküdar Haber Ajansı](https://uha.com.tr/do-not-pour-water-on-the-child-during-an-epileptic-seizure) |

## Özet

The pediatric neurologist warns! Epilepsy is more common in childhood and adolescence.

## İçerik

Experts note that the condition defined as a seizure, which causes changes in the patient's movements, consciousness, and behavior, is a neurological disease, and contrary to popular belief, epilepsy is not a mental illness.



"Epilepsy is more common in childhood and adolescence than in adulthood," says Pediatric Neurologist Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu. "During a seizure, lay the child on the ground, remove any sharp objects from around them, turn their head slightly to the side, and stay with them until the seizure ends.  Do not try to open the child's mouth with your hand or any other object to prevent them from biting their tongue, do not give them water, and do not pour water on them."

Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu: "In cases of drug-resistant epilepsy, a ketogenic diet and implanting a pacemaker may be recommended."



Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu, a pediatric neurologist at Üsküdar University NPİstanbul Hospital, provided information about epilepsy and its treatment in children on February 12, "World Epilepsy Day.
"
"Epilepsy is a disease originating in the brain and characterized by recurrent seizures."

Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu stated that epilepsy (seizure disorder) is a disease originating in the brain and characterized by recurrent seizures, adding, "Nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. A sudden electrical discharge that disrupts this communication causes changes in the patient's movements, consciousness, and behavior. This condition, defined as a seizure, is a neurological disorder. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a mental illness. Epilepsy is more common in childhood and adolescence than in adulthood."

"A disorder affecting the

brain leads to an epileptic seizure."



Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu, who stated that a disorder affecting the brain causes epileptic seizures, said, "The causes of epilepsy vary according to age. While no cause can be found in 60-75% of childhood epilepsies, a cause can only be identified in 25-40% of cases. Epilepsy can occur in cases of genetic predisposition, problems during pregnancy and birth resulting in the baby being deprived of oxygen, developmental disorders (incomplete brain development), head trauma, infections (meningitis, brain inflammation), prolonged fevers, and brain tumors."



How is epilepsy recognized in children?



Noting that the symptoms of epilepsy vary depending on the type of seizure, Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu continued:



"Seizures that start in one area of the brain are called partial seizures. In simple partial seizures, children do not lose consciousness. During the seizure, they may see different bright colors, smell bad odors, or feel fear. In complex partial seizures, there is loss of consciousness. Symptoms include twitching, chewing, pulling at clothing, and drooling. Seizures originating from the entire brain are defined as generalized seizures. Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure begins with sudden muscle contraction and relaxation, accompanied by loss of consciousness. Patients may fall to the ground, foam at the mouth, and lock their jaws. The seizure usually lasts 2-3 minutes, and the patient regains consciousness at the end of the seizure, followed by a sleep period lasting approximately half an hour to two hours. After waking up, they return to their daily lives completely healthy.



Absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure. The patient stares blankly for 10-20 seconds, then continues what they were doing as if nothing had happened. This can occur many times throughout the day. If left untreated, it can cause learning difficulties.



“Do not pour water on the child during a seizure.”



Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu offered the following recommendations to families on how to help a child during a seizure:



"Stay calm, lay the child down on the floor, remove any sharp objects from around them, turn their head slightly to the side, and do not leave their side until the seizure is over. Do not try to open their mouth with your hand or any other object to prevent them from biting their tongue, do not give them water, and do not pour water on them. Observe your child carefully, as the information you provide to your doctor is very important. If someone is with you, ask them to record a video during the seizure.



Although seizures appear dangerous and distressing, they usually end within 2-5 minutes. If the seizure lasts longer, be sure to call 112 and try to reach the nearest health center. Remember that any wrong assistance during a seizure can harm your child.



How does epilepsy affect a child's life?



Explaining that epilepsy is like any other disease and is not something to be ashamed of or hidden, Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu says, "Your child is no different from their peers during this illness. They will continue to go to school and participate in daily life. However, you should inform their teachers, close friends, and family elders about the disease so that they can help your child when necessary. Do not prevent your child from participating in sports and other social activities because of this disease; on the contrary, encourage your child. Sports that involve head injuries and activities that require excessive effort, such as gymnastics, should not be preferred. Swimming and other related sports should be done under the supervision of an adult who is aware of the child's condition."



How is epilepsy diagnosed in children?



Stating that the diagnosis of epilepsy is made based on the family history, neurological examination, and laboratory tests, Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu said, "After taking the history and performing the neurological examination, if your doctor suspects epilepsy, they will request an electroencephalogram (EEG) and blood tests. Depending on the test results, they may request brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and further investigations."



Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu also noted that one of the most common questions families ask pediatric neurologists is whether treatment is necessary for this disease, adding, "Small seizures that go untreated can turn into large seizures after a while. Frequent and prolonged seizures can both trigger the next seizure and cause brain damage due to lack of oxygen."



"Some types of childhood epilepsy may resolve as the patient reaches a certain age."



Noting that some types of childhood epilepsy may resolve as the patient reaches a certain age, Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu stated, "Treatment may not be necessary for these types of epilepsy. However, the decision to treat should be made by your doctor. The most important form of treatment for epilepsy is medication. In drug-resistant types of epilepsy that do not respond to medication, a ketogenic diet and implanting a pacemaker may be recommended. Surgical treatment is applied in cases where none of the treatment methods are effective or in some specific types of epilepsy."



Is epilepsy permanent in children?



Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu stated that there is no definitive answer to the question of whether epilepsy is permanent in children, saying, "Some types of epilepsy may disappear during adolescence, while others may last a lifetime. Generally, in patients who have been seizure-free for 2-4 years under medication control, with normal neurological examination findings, EEGs, and brain MRIs, the epilepsy medication is gradually reduced and discontinued over a period of 4-6 months. Medical follow-up continues for two years after discontinuing the medication."



Prof. Dr. Dilara Füsun İçağasıoğlu also advised families to be realistic about their child's condition, saying, "See them as a person with epilepsy (just like someone with diabetes, hypertension, or tuberculosis) and help your child think that way too. Explain to them in an age-appropriate way that they have a condition that causes seizures, and teach them to live peacefully with their condition."

## Akademik Referans

DOI: [https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.44225](https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.44225)

---

*Kaynak: [Üsküdar Haber Ajansı](https://uha.com.tr) — https://uha.com.tr/do-not-pour-water-on-the-child-during-an-epileptic-seizure*