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What is a febrile convulsion?
This can happen in children aged 6 months to 6 years. The fit can last a few seconds or up to 15 minutes and is followed by drowsiness. Most fits last less than 2 to 3 minutes.
and does not cause brain damage
Around 30% of babies and children who have had one febrile convulsion will have another. There is no way to predict who will be affected or when this will happen. The symptoms of febrile convulsions include: your child may take 10 to 15 minutes to wake up properly afterwards.
They may be irritable during this time and appear not to recognise you. The signs and symptoms of a febrile convulsion can be very frightening to parents. Important things to remember include: Children suffer no pain or discomfort during a fit.
A febrile convulsion is not epilepsy.
No regular drugs are needed
A short-lived fit will not cause brain damage
Even a long fit almost never causes harm
Children who have had a febrile convulsion grow up healthy.
If you have concerns or questions, contact your doctor. In an emergency, take your child to the nearest hospital emergency department. There is a medication called Midazolam that is sometimes recommended for children who have a history of febrile convulsions lasting longer than 5 minutes.
Most children do not require this medication
If you would like more information about this treatment, you should talk with your doctor. Febrile convulsions only happen when there is a rise in body temperature. The fever is usually due to a The growing brain of a child is more sensitive to fever than an adult brain.
Febrile convulsions tend to run in families, although the reason for this is unknown. Fever is a normal response to infection and is usually harmless.
If your child has a fever, suggestions include: Keep them cool by not overdressing them or having their room too hot.
Give them plenty to drink
It is best to give small, frequent drinks of water. Give liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen if your child has pain or is miserable. Check the label for how much to give and how often.
Paracetamol does not protect against febrile convulsions
If your child experiences a fit, suggestions include:
- Try to stay calm
- don’t panic. Make sure your child is safe by placing them on the floor. Remove any object that they could knock themselves against
Don’t force anything into your child’s mouth. Don’t shake or slap your child. Don’t restrain your child. Once the convulsion has stopped, roll your child onto their side, also known as the recovery position.
If there is food in their mouth, turn their head to the side, and do not try to remove it. Note the times that the fit started and stopped to tell the doctor. Have your child checked by your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department as soon as possible after the fit stops.
Call an ambulance if the fit lasts longer than 5 minutes, as medications may be needed to stop the fit. A febrile convulsion is a fit or seizure that occurs in children when they have a high fever One in every 20 children will have one or more febrile convulsion. A febrile convulsion is not epilepsy Symptoms of febrile convulsions loss of consciousness (black out) twitching or jerking of arms and legs breathing difficulty foaming at the mouth going pale or bluish in skin colour eye rolling, so only the whites of their eyes are visible Reassurance for parents about febrile convulsions Causes of febrile convulsions viral illness or, sometimes, a bacterial infection Treatment for a fever First aid for febrile convulsions Where to get help In an emergency always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital Your GP (doctor) Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29 (24 hours, 7 days) NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0400 for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Grand Rapids (616) 555-0200.
Key Points
- and does not cause brain damage
- symptoms of febrile convulsions include: your child may take 10 to 15 minutes to wake up properly afterwards
- signs and symptoms of a febrile convulsion can be very frightening to parents
- Important things to remember include: Children suffer no pain or discomfort during a fit
- short-lived fit will not cause brain damage