Febrile Convulsions (Seizures)

This article is for information purposes only. Always seek advice from a Health Care Professional.

Febrile convulsions are seizures that occur in children aged 6 months to 5 years, triggered by a fever (usually above 38°C ) without any underlying serious neurological condition. They are relatively common and often occur during illnesses such as viral infections.

Types of Febrile Convulsions

1. Simple Febrile Convulsions
   • Generalized seizures (affecting the whole body).
   • Last less than 15 minutes.
   • Do not recur within 24 hours.
   • Most common type.
2. Complex Febrile Convulsions
   • Focal seizures (affect specific parts of the body).
   • Last longer than 15 minutes.
   • May recur within 24 hours.

Causes

• Rapid rise in body temperature (common trigger).
• Viral or bacterial infections (e.g., influenza, roseola).
• Post-vaccination fevers (rarely).

Symptoms

• Loss of consciousness.
• Shaking or twitching of limbs.
• Rolling eyes.
• Stiffening of the body.
• Temporary breathing difficulty or cyanosis (bluish skin).

What to Do During a Febrile Seizure

1. Stay Calm
   • Most febrile seizures are not harmful.
2. Protect the Child
   • Place the child on their side to prevent choking.
   • Clear the area of hard or sharp objects.
3. Do Not
   • Restrain the child.
   • Put anything in their mouth.
4. Time the Seizure
   • If it lasts more than 5 minutes, seek emergency medical help.
5. Seek Medical Attention
   • After the seizure ends, contact a healthcare provider to evaluate the cause of the fever.

Diagnosis

• Medical History & Physical Exam: Assessing seizure characteristics and the underlying fever cause.
• Tests (if needed for complex cases):
  • Blood tests.
  • Lumbar puncture (to rule out meningitis).
  • EEG or MRI in rare instances.

Treatment

• For the Seizure:
  • Usually no treatment needed during or after simple febrile seizures.
  • Emergency medication (e.g., rectal diazepam) may be used for prolonged seizures.
• For Fever:
  • Antipyretics like paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower fever.
  • Treat underlying infection (if bacterial).

Prognosis

• Most children recover fully with no long-term effects.
• Recurrence rate: About 1 in 3 children may experience another febrile seizure.

Prevention

• Controlling fever may not always prevent seizures but can help:
  • Early use of antipyretics during fever episodes.
  • Regular monitoring of temperature in febrile illnesses.

When to See a Doctor

• First febrile seizure.
• Seizure lasting >5 minutes.
• Frequent recurrences.
• Concerns about developmental delays or underlying conditions.