Night-time Seizures

Night-time, or nocturnal, seizures are seizures that happen at night. They can make night-time stressful for parents and carers who have children or adults with Dravet Syndrome. Parents and carers worry about missing seizures and the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Here, we share ways to manage sleep and cope with night-time seizures.

Specialist beds

These have high sides to make sure the person with Dravet Syndrome can’t fall out and injure themselves. An occupational therapist can advise on, and provide, specialist beds.

Parents and carers can sleep in the same double bed as the person with Dravet Syndrome

Or there can be a single bed in the bedroom for a parent or carer to use when the person with Dravet Syndrome is unwell because of seizures.

Exploring respite options

Someone with Dravet Syndrome can stay in respite care, such as a hospice, where there are night staff. Or, parents and carers could use a ‘waking nights’ service, where an overnight carer stays in your home.  

Monitoring systems

Children and adults with Dravet Syndrome need 24-hour supervision, and seizure monitors can be a helpful tool for supporting this. They alert you when someone is having a seizure so they can get prompt emergency treatment.

There are lots of different monitors available. The following types of devices are the most helpful:

• Pulse oximeter machines monitor a person’s heart rate and oxygen levels. Typically, when someone has a seizure, their heart rate increases and oxygen levels drop. If they are being monitored on a pulse oximeter machine during a seizure, the monitor may sound an alarm so that parents and carers can administer emergency treatment, if necessary. The pulse oximeter is attached to the person by a sticky probe, generally on the toe.
• Epilepsy mattress monitors which can alert you to tonic-clonic seizures and be set up to sound an ‘out of bed’ alarm, so the parent/carer knows if the person with Dravet Syndrome has got up. Tonic-clonic seizures are where someone’s body suddenly becomes stiff and then jerks rhythmically.
• Good quality video monitors or CCTV that allow parents and carers to keep a watch over their sleeping child or adult, without needing to be in the same room. We provide free monitors to support families living with Dravet Syndrome. Find out more about how you could get one through our Seizure Monitor Fund.

Supplements to help with sleep

Melatonin, often referred to as the sleep hormone, is a central part of the body’s sleep-wake cycle. It can be given as a supplement to someone with Dravet Syndrome to help them get into sleep.

Chloral hydrate, a sedative, is another sleep-promoting medication that doctors might recommend for people with Dravet Syndrome.

Seizure Monitor Fund

Night-time monitors can be expensive. Supporting the cost of monitors is one of the services we provide to help families living with Dravet Syndrome. Find out about our Seizure Monitor Fund here.