Frightening episode with toddler.

[Woowoowoowoo]

He's two, almost three. Was in his pram today and he looked like he'd fallen asleep from behind as his head was lolloped.

I went to the front and looked at him and he just looked like he was watching the traffic.

Anyway me and DH we're chatting and I called to DS. He didn't answer so checked on him again and his eyes were staring, pupils like pin pricks and not responsive.

I almost had a heart attack there and then.

It took what seemed like forever to get him to snap out of it although in reality it was probably seconds. I for a brief minute thought he'd choked on something or his hat strap was stopping oxygen or something.

Anyway he came around and was them very upset (probably because I was screaming like a banshee at this point).

Anyway he's absolutely fine, cheeky self and wasn't affected afterwards.

Could it be he had fallen asleep with eyes open?

I mentioned it to my mum and she said she didn't want to scare me but it's what a fit looks like.

It does sound like a type of fit to me, but that doesn't necessarily mean it was anything to worry about. I'd make a Dr appointment just in case.

I would probably see my GP for advice, your mum is right, some forms of epilepsy look like what you have described.

Could be something like an absence seizure, but I'm not a doctor. Best talk it through with a GP next week.

As a mum to a dd with a seizure disorder I would ask your GP for their advice.

P.s. its fucking terrifying I know, but if it ever goes on for longer thab 5min, or his breathing is compromised call 999 immediately.

It was horrendous. Just thinking about it is making me panic.

Thank you for the advice - I'll get him to the GPs on Monday.

Some people suffer from absence seizures, a form of epilepsy, check with a doctor to be sure

I wouldn't be too worried about the upset afterwards, as you said yourself, you screaming like a banshee probably frightened him.
It could be anything from him having just woken and wasn't properly awake up to the more extreme scenario of an absence seizure. As a once off I wouldn't be too worried.
Keep an eye on him and if it happened again then make an appt with GP.

I actually used to get these when I was little - scared my parents silly. & it was indeed absence seizures. I had medication for them etc and weirdly grew out of them when I got into my teens..it gave way to hemiplaegic migraine instead which was just as unpleasant for me but way less serious really.

I can vouch that it was prob just your screaming that got him upset (although perfectly understandable!!!) I always used to just come round feeling a bit dizzy, maybe a bit nauseous but not in the slightest in pain. The best thing mum learnt to do was just get me in a quiet dark room when poss if I had a 'turn' & give me a cuddle until I felt ok again.

Hope the gp can advise more!

Thanks everyone. Yes - I think keep an eye, see if it happens again and then docs if it does. It was just that awful look on his face of 'not there' that was horrible.

DH convinced it's nothing serious.

The very same thing has just happened with us at lunch time today with DD who is 2.9.

Only lasted for about 5-10 seconds. I wasn't sure whether she was choking but she was still, vacant and went pale. Slapped her in the back and she started crying.

She finished her lunch although wanted it on my knee with cuddles, and has been fine since. I am going to keep an eye on it and off to GP if it happens again.

My DD2 did something similar at around 2Y and fell forward of a little chair at the same time.

I took her to the GP the next day who said he thought she had just fainted (they don't always close their eyes) but he would refer her if it happened again. She's ten now and it hasn't

DS has fallen asleep with his eyes open before which is really weird and creepy.

I think I'd get him checked over - it can't hurt? And the GP will be able to advise on what to do if it happens again.