This page covers monitoring epilepsy seizures at night and the types of monitors currently available.
It also includes links to download seizure charts to help you keep a record of your child’s seizures.
You’ll also find a list of companies who provide equipment, apps and seizure alert subscription services, as well as possible sources of funding, including benefits, grants, social services and specialist charities.
Please note: Young Epilepsy does not endorse any of the brands, equipment or services listed. Details provided are for information only.
If you are considering purchasing a seizure monitor or alarm it’s important to speak to your doctor or epilepsy nurse. At the moment there’s not enough evidence to show they can guarantee someone’s safety during a seizure.
Monitoring seizures at night
If your child has seizures, you’ll naturally want to keep a close eye on them, even when they’re sleeping.
Around 20−40% of epilepsy seizures in childhood occur in sleep – much higher than in adults. With some epilepsy syndromes, seizures happen mainly at night.
Seizures that happen during the night are often called ‘nocturnal seizures’.
As a parent, you might be particularly anxious about nocturnal seizures, because you can’t be with your child all the time.
There are also seizures that tend to happen on waking.
To help your doctor look for any patterns, it can be helpful to make a note of when your child has seizures.
Tiredness and not getting enough sleep are common seizure triggers, so it’s important to establish good sleep habits.
Although anti-seizure medications can affect sleep, effective treatment of seizures is likely to improve sleep quality in the long run.
Many parents like the added peace of mind that seizure monitors, alarms and other equipment can provide.
Every child is different, so if you’re thinking about buying any nighttime safety equipment, you should speak to your doctor or epilepsy specialist nurse about it.
At present, there’s no evidence to show that seizure alarms or monitors can guarantee someone’s safety during a nocturnal seizure.
However, some families do find monitors useful as part of a plan for reducing the risk of nocturnal seizures.
But, research continues in this area. We’ll update you when more information becomes available.
Seizure charts and guidelines
To help you monitor seizures in your child, you can download seizure charts and guidelines by clicking on the links below:
Seizure monitor types
Below you’ll find information on the different types of monitors currently available.
The simplest form of device is a listening monitor, such as a baby monitor, which lets you hear any sounds from your child’s room.
But, remember – some seizures can be silent, so you might miss them.
You can also have a monitor with a camera so you can see your child.
However, neither of these devices will directly alert you to a possible seizure.
Several devices on the market monitor movements associated with seizures, including muscle spasms.
You place a special sensor pad under the mattress of the bed or cot.
You can programme the settings for your child, taking into account other movements such as turning over or adjusting sleep position, without triggering the alarm.
You can adjust the settings so they’re sensitive enough to detect even the small movements associated with some seizures.
When the pad detects movements, an alarm is activated on the base unit or a mobile pager.
Some monitors also include a microphone to pick up any sounds your child might make before or during a seizure.
You can also get discreet monitors small enough to fit into the palm of your child’s hand.
Equipped with high-performance sensors that can detect seizure-induced movements while ignoring normal sleep activities, the monitor sends you an alert via a radio system.
These monitors are often designed to detect a number of symptoms associated with seizures – including bed-wetting and salivation (drooling).
They can also be activated if your child leaves their bed, falls out of it during a seizure or leaves it in a confused state.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution, but you can adjust the sensors in each monitor to your child’s needs.
Some research suggests there are often changes in heart rate at the start of a seizure.
You can now get a device that monitors your child’s heart rate overnight.
You programme the device with your child’s normal heart rate patterns. Then, you attach to your child’s wrist or ankle a small Bluetooth-enabled sensor.
If your child’s heart rate changes from their normal patterns, the sensor sends an alert to an app on a base unit (a dedicated tablet)
Finding the right solution for you
A number of manufacturers produce a range of devices designed to alert you if your child is having a seizure.
Before buying any, though, you should contact some of them to find out which would be most suitable for your child.
They should spend some time with you finding out about your particular needs to see whether their device will work for your child.
They’ll need to know some basic information, such as your child’s weight and height, and what their typical seizures look like.
Rigorous testing
As with all medical devices, seizure monitors undergo rigorous testing and must be compliant with certain International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards.
At present, there is no evidence that seizure alarms or monitors can guarantee someone’s safety during a seizure.
But some people with children with epilepsy have found alarms and monitors helpful for reducing risk.
Research continues in this area. We’ll update you when more information becomes available.
VAT exemption on equipment
Some items designed for use by someone who is disabled or has a long term health condition are exempt from VAT.
The company selling you the equipment should tell you if that particular product is exempt from VAT.
In order for the government to waive VAT on your purchase, you just need to make a simple declaration about your child’s epilepsy at the time of ordering.
Find out more about VAT exemption.
Safety pillows
Safety or anti-suffocation pillows are normally made of soft, highly porous foam with greater airflow than ordinary pillows.
Their gently rippled surface has plenty of air cavities between the surface of the pillow and the net cover.
These pillows should not be used for babies and children under three years old.
Anti-suffocation pillows for children over three are available from Sleep-Safe.
Be aware that using safety pillows is a matter of personal choice and there is no evidence that they prevent death from suffocation or SUDEP.
The following manufacturers produce a variety of seizure-alert devices, including bed monitors, wearable sensors and video.
Some apps and seizure alert subscription services are also included.
Please note: Young Epilepsy does not endorse any of the brands, equipment or services listed. Details provided are for information only.
Alert-iT
Sleep easy range for children and adults
alert.co.uk
Easylink UK
easylink.co.uk
Epilepsy Alarms UK
A wide range of seizure monitoring alarms and epilepsy sensors to help detect and manage a wide range of seizures, including tonic-clonic and myoclonic
epilepsyalarms.co.uk
Epilepsy Solutions
Monitors and InspyreTM by SmartMonitor – app works with smart watch.
epilepsysolutions.co.uk
Health and Care
Online retailer selling a wide range of fitness, sports and health and safety products – use the search tool to find epilepsy alarms and epilepsy monitors
healthandcare.co.uk
Living Made Easy
Personal health alerts and alarms
livingmadeeasy.org.uk
info@dlf.org.uk
Medpage
A range of epilepsy monitors and alarms, including video
medpage-ltd.com
My Medic Watch
Smart detection apps providing peace of mind (Apple and Android compatible)
mymedicwatch.com
Safety Systems Distribution Ltd
Emfit Tonic-Clonic Seizure Monitor
safetysystemdistribution.co.uk
SAMi
Video-based sleep activity monitor. Needs an Apple device to run the SAMi iOS app
samialert.com
SeizAlarm
Seizure Detection for the iPhone and Apple Watch
seizalarm.com
SJS Services
Epilepsy alarms
sjs-services.co.uk
Sleep-Safe #
Anti-Suffocation Pillow for children over the age of three
sleep-safe.co.uk
Funding for equipment
You might be able to get financial help to buy epilepsy monitors, alarms and other equipment, depending on your circumstances. The following sources may be useful.
The Daisy Garland
Grants for SATs monitors or Emfit seizure monitors
thedaisygarland.org.uk
Grant enquiry form
Disability Grants
Provides a guide to grants for people with disabilities, including grants for equipment
disability-grants.org
Grants for disability equipment
Dravet Syndrome UK
Provides seizure monitors for children and adults with Dravet syndrome
dravet.org.uk
The Family Fund
Provides grants to help with costs of essential items, including equipment
familyfund.org.uk
Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust
Provides funding for medical and household equipment, including sensory equipment
fnaist.org.uk
The Hospital Saturday Fund
Provides funding for specialised equipment
hospitalsaturdayfund.org
Jon Shaw Foundation
Provides funding for equipment and services not normally available on the NHS for young people with epilepsy
jonshawfoundation.org
Variety
Provides grants for specialist equipment, including sensory, assistive and medical
variety.org.uk
If you need to make changes to your home, you might be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local authority. Find out more:
- GOV.UK – Disabled Facilities Grants
In England and Wales, you can ask for your local authority’s social services to carry out a needs assessment to see if you can get support with buying equipment.
Find out more about applying for a needs assessment by social services:
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can find information here:
- NI Direct – health and social care assessments
If you live in Scotland, you can find information here:
- Care Information Scotland – Assessment of your care needs
Further information
The organisation SUDEP Action provides information and FAQs on different types of safety devices:
