# Childhood epilepsy: when to refer a child

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/childhood-epilepsy-when-to-refer
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Childhood epilepsy is a neurological condition needing prompt medical evaluation first — paediatrics and neurology, with EEG where indicated. Refer urgently; a seizure over five minutes is an emergency. Developmental and learning support runs alongside medical management, not instead of it.

*For the frontline worker: a suspected seizure is a medical event first — refer for urgent paediatric and neurology assessment, and treat a seizure lasting over five minutes as an emergency.*

## In short
Childhood epilepsy is a neurological condition, not a developmental-therapy matter in the first instance. Any child with a suspected seizure needs prompt medical evaluation — paediatrics and neurology, with EEG where indicated. Refer urgently; developmental and learning support runs *alongside* medical management, not instead of it.

## When to refer — and when it is an emergency
1. **Any first unprovoked seizure** — refer for paediatric/neurology assessment.
2. **Staring spells with unresponsiveness,** or repeated brief "absences".
3. **Recurrent jerking, stiffening or twitching,** especially on waking.
4. **Loss of awareness or responsiveness** episodes without clear cause.
5. **Developmental regression** after suspected seizures.

**Emergency now:** a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, repeated seizures without recovery in between, breathing difficulty, or injury — call emergency services.

## The Pinnacle way
Once a child is under medical care, we support the developmental and learning impact that epilepsy can carry. A clinician maps strengths and gaps with the [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), and our [special education](/special-education) and therapy teams support attention, learning and participation in coordination with the treating neurologist. See [childhood epilepsy](/childhood-epilepsy). This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 classifies epilepsy or seizures (8A6Z); neurology guidance governs diagnosis and treatment.

**Next step —** refer a child with suspected seizures for urgent medical assessment first. [Find a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre](/find-center).

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11 (MMS) 8A6Z — epilepsy or seizures: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- WHO — epilepsy public health guidance: https://www.who.int