Signs and Symptoms of Epilepsy in Children

What Are the Early Signs of Childhood Epilepsy?

Early signs of epilepsy in children can be subtle and easy to miss. They don’t always look like the “dramatic” convulsions many people expect. Instead, watch for patterns such as: 

• Frequent staring spells or brief moments of unresponsiveness
• Sudden, repeated movements like blinking, head nodding, or jerking of arms and legs
• Unusual behaviors such as sudden confusion, dazed looks, or unexplained mood changes
• Clusters of spasms in infants, often when waking or falling asleep
• Unexplained falls or clumsiness 

These episodes may last only seconds and can be mistaken for daydreaming or tiredness. If they happen often or seem unusual, talk to your child’s doctor.

Early Recognition Matters 

Identifying epilepsy early allows doctors to start treatment sooner, which helps control seizures, protects brain development, and reduces learning or behavioral problems. Early diagnosis also lowers the risk of injuries and serious complications.

Common Symptoms of Epilepsy in Children

Some patients exhibit behaviors that include:

• Walking in circles
• Pedaling legs
• Aggressive outbursts
• Brief muscle twitching
• Muscles suddenly become limp or rigid
• Falling suddenly
• Unresponsiveness to sound or speech for brief periods of time
• Appearing confused
• Sudden changes in sensations, such as feeling waves of heat or cold, goosebumps, heart racing

It is common for older children and adults to experience significant memory issues.

Differences in Pediatric Epilepsy Symptoms by Age

 Epilepsy symptoms can look very different depending on a child’s age and stage of development. Recognizing these age-specific patterns helps parents seek medical advice sooner, which is key to protecting brain development and reducing complications.

Symptoms By Age Group 

• Infants and toddlers: May show clusters of spasms, sudden jerks, or brief stiffening episodes, which can be mistaken for startle reflexes.
• School-age children: Staring spells, brief lapses in awareness, or twitching of the face and mouth are common signs.
• Teenagers: Seizures may start with auras—sensory changes like strange smells, visual distortions, or emotional shifts such as sudden anxiety. 

If you suspect a child is showing any of these symptoms, contact your child’s doctor.

Post-Seizure Symptoms and Recovery Signs in Kids 

Following a seizure, many children experience what’s called the postictal phase. There is little, if any, cause for alarm. These symptoms are common and can help caregivers recognize that a seizure occurred:

• Confusion or disorientation: A child may seem “out of it” or disoriented, not knowing where they are.
• Sleepiness or fatigue: A need to rest or nap may occur.
• Headache: Mild to moderate discomfort may develop.
• Temporary speech or coordination problems: This is evident when a child is having trouble speaking clearly or moving normally.

These signs usually last a few minutes to possibly hours and are part of the brain’s recovery process. If symptoms persist or seem severe, contact your child’s doctor.

What Are the Risk Factors for Epilepsy in Kids?

Certain conditions and situations can increase a child’s chances of developing epilepsy, including:

• Family history of epilepsy
• Brain injury
• Infections affecting the brain (such as meningitis or encephalitis)
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Developmental disorders (including autism or cerebral palsy) 

Not every child with these risk factors develops epilepsy. Knowing these risk factors helps parents and doctors detect early signs and act quickly.

Resources for Pediatric Epilepsy

For more resources on epilepsy and pediatric epilepsy, visit the following sites:

• Epilepsy Foundation of America
• International League Against Epilepsy
• Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy

Learn more about treatments for pediatric epilepsy at Brown University Health