Febrile Seizure

A febrile seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled shaking (convulsion) in a child that's triggered by a fever. This fever is often caused by an illness or infection. These seizures typically happen in young children who are otherwise healthy and developing normally, and who haven't had any problems with their brain or nervous system before.

It's very unsettling to see your child have a febrile seizure. The good news is that most of the time, these seizures are not dangerous, lasting only a few minutes, and don't usually mean there's a serious medical issue.

To help, keep your child safe during the seizure. Protect them from injury by gently moving any objects that could cause harm out of reach. After the seizure, comfort your child and help them feel secure. It's important to call your doctor right away to have your child checked out as soon as possible after the seizure. This is a crucial step to ensure everything is okay.

A febrile seizure is a type of seizure that happens in children when they have a fever. It's common and usually not serious. During a febrile seizure, a child might shake all over or just twitch in one part of their body. They might also lose consciousness.

A child having a febrile seizure often has a temperature above 100.4°F (38.0°C). Other signs include losing awareness, shaking or jerking movements in their arms and legs, or stiffening.

Febrile seizures are grouped into two types:

• Simple febrile seizures: These are the most frequent kind. They typically last only a few seconds to 15 minutes. Crucially, they happen only once and don't focus on just one part of the body during the episode.

• Complex febrile seizures: These seizures last longer than 15 minutes, or they happen more than once in a 24-hour period. Sometimes, the shaking or stiffening is limited to just one side of the body.

Febrile seizures usually start within a day of the child developing a fever. They can be an early sign that a child is getting sick.

Take your child to the doctor right away after their first fever seizure. Even if the seizure is very short, it's important to get medical attention quickly. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, or if your child has any of these problems during or after the seizure, call for an ambulance and take them to the nearest emergency room:

• Vomiting: This can be a sign of a more serious problem.
• Stiff neck: This could indicate a more serious infection.
• Trouble breathing: If your child has difficulty breathing, seek immediate help.
• Extreme sleepiness: This can also be a sign of a more serious issue.

It's crucial to get medical help right away, especially after a first febrile seizure.

High body temperatures, sometimes even mild fevers, can cause febrile seizures. A febrile seizure happens when a person's body temperature rises above normal. While a higher fever is more likely to cause a seizure, a low-grade fever can sometimes be enough to trigger one.

Febrile seizures, which are seizures that happen with a fever, are more common in certain situations. Here are some things that raise the chances of a child having one:

• Being a young child. Most febrile seizures happen in children between six months and five years old. The risk is highest between the ages of one and one-and-a-half years old. This is a crucial stage of development, and their immune systems are still learning to fight off illnesses.

• Family history. If other family members, like parents or siblings, have had febrile seizures, a child may be more likely to have them too. Scientists are also finding that certain genes might increase a child's risk. This means that some children may inherit a predisposition to these seizures, just like they might inherit a tendency to be taller or have a certain eye color.

Many fevers in children cause seizures that don't have any lasting problems. These are called "simple febrile seizures." They don't lead to brain damage, trouble learning, or other intellectual problems. They also don't mean your child has a more serious illness hidden beneath the surface.

These seizures happen because of a fever. They aren't a sign of a lifelong condition called epilepsy. Epilepsy is a different situation where a child has seizures repeatedly, without a fever triggering them. These repeated seizures are caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain.

Fever-related seizures, often called febrile seizures, usually happen very early in the process of a fever. They typically occur as the body temperature is first going up. This means they're most common during the initial stages of a fever's development.

Febrile seizures happen in children who are developing normally. A doctor will look at your child's health history, including how they're growing and developing, to make sure there aren't other reasons for concern, like a possible future risk of epilepsy. If a child is developing typically and has a fever, finding out what's causing the fever is the first thing doctors do after a febrile seizure.

If a child is up-to-date on their vaccines and has just had one simple febrile seizure, further tests aren't usually needed. The doctor can often diagnose it just by talking to you about what happened.

However, if a child has not had all their shots on time or has a weakened immune system, the doctor might suggest some tests to check for serious infections. These might include blood tests, urine tests, or a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to look for infections in the brain and spinal cord, like meningitis.

For more complex febrile seizures, the doctor might order a test called an EEG (electroencephalogram). This test measures the electrical activity in the brain. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the brain might also be recommended if the child:

• Has a significantly large head size.
• Shows unusual signs in their neurological exam (checking their nerves and reflexes).
• Has signs or symptoms that suggest increased pressure inside the skull (like a headache, vomiting, or changes in alertness).
• Had a febrile seizure that lasted a very long time.

In short, the doctor will figure out the best course of action based on your child's specific situation and the type of seizure they experienced.

Febrile seizures are common in children with fevers. Most of these seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. If your child has a febrile seizure, remain calm and follow these steps:

When to Call Emergency Services:

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
• Your child has more than one seizure.
• The seizure lasted less than five minutes but your child isn't getting better quickly.

A doctor might give medicine to stop a seizure that goes on for more than five minutes.

When a Hospital Stay Might Be Needed:

Your child's doctor might recommend a hospital stay for observation if:

• The seizure is unusually long.
• Your child is under six months old.
• The seizure is connected to a serious illness or infection.
• The cause of the infection isn't clear.

Note: Hospital stays are usually not necessary for short, single febrile seizures.

What to Do During a Febrile Seizure:

• Safe Positioning: Lay your child on their side on a soft, flat surface to prevent falls.
• Timing: Start counting the time the seizure lasts.
• Support and Comfort: Stay close and comfort your child.
• Clear the Area: Remove any hard or sharp objects from around your child.
• Loosen Clothing: Make sure your child's clothing isn't too tight.
• Avoid Restraints: Do not try to hold or restrain your child. Let them move freely during the seizure.
• Do Not Put Anything in Their Mouth: Never put anything in your child's mouth during a seizure.