Childhood Convulsion: Home-care and Complications Seen in Children Presenting with Convulsion at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Background: Convulsion, a common neurological disorder resulting from abnormal electrical activities in the brain with morbidity and mortality depending largely on the cause of the convulsion and interventional practices. Outcome is often worsened when agitated parents/caregivers ignorantly deploy harmful home practices.

Objective: This study evaluated different home care offered to a convulsing child and their impact on the child.

Methods: This was a prospective study involving all children who came in with convulsion to the Paediatric Department of the Federal Medical Center, Asaba over a study period of 14 months. A Researcher administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess the types of home care given. Physical examination was carried out on all the patients while using a Chest radiogram to confirm cases of suspected aspiration.

Results: One form or more of harmful traditional home care was administered to 84% of the study children, 48% percent had palm kernel oil applied to the skin and other parts of the body while 33.3% of the convulsing children had spoons forcefully inserted into their mouths. The most common complication was massive blood loss from scarification marks in 60% of the subjects while fear of death was a common cause for concern in 56% of the parents.

The relationship between the socio-economic status of the parents and the caregiver to a convulsing child was seen to be statistically significant (p < 0.005).

Conclusion: Homecare/treatment for childhood convulsion is a common practice among caregivers necessitating an urgent need for mass education and enlightenment on proper management of convulsion.