What is it?
A seizure caused by fever.
- Febrile seizures usually last fewer than 5 minutes; however, they may last from a few seconds to 15 minutes or longer.
- Febrile seizure symptoms vary.
- During a febrile seizure, children are unable to respond (i.e., unresponsive) and may lose consciousness.
- In most cases, febrile seizures resolve without complications.
- If the child is standing, eating, or drinking when the seizure occurs, he or she may be injured by the fall, may choke, or may inhale fluid into the lungs.
- The child also may bite his or her tongue, lips, or inside of the cheek during a febrile seizure.
- Febrile seizures increase the risk for epilepsy slightly. However, more than 95% of children who have febrile seizures do not develop a seizure disorder.
- Febrile seizures do not increase the risk for brain damage or mental retardation.
Medication
- Do not try to give medication of any kind during the seizure
- Antipyretic agents (paracetamol and/or ibuprofen) do not prevent febrile convulsions and should not be used specifically for this purpose.
NICE guidelines
General tips
- After a period of time (usually a few seconds to a few minutes), the muscles relax, causing rhythmic jerking.
- Do not put anything in her mouth (the child may choke).
- Do not try to put a child in a bath to cool down.
- Once the seizure is over, the child may be sleepy or confused (but if excessively drowsy and/or confused phone for an ambulance).
Symptoms
- Child’s eyes may roll or his or her limbs may become rigid (stiff)?
- Breathing difficulty (e.g., apnea; the child may turn bluish in color)?
- Contraction of the muscles of the face, limbs, and trunk?
- Fever (usually higher than 38.8°C /102°F)?
- Illness (e.g., upper respiratory infection)?
- Involuntary moaning, crying, and/or passing of urine?
- Shaking?
- Twitching?
- Vomiting?
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Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Medical Emergency Condition
And/or do not wait phone for an ambulance if have or develop:
- If experience for the first time regardless on how long it was
- If not sure what to do
- The seizure does not stop after 10 minutes
- Your child is having difficulty breathing or turns blue or gray
- Your child is lethargic and not responding normally after the seizure
- Dehydrated or has uncontrollable vomiting
- Status epilepticus-a medical emergency in which a seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes or seizures recur without recovery for 10 minutes or longer.
Medication
- Do not try to give medication of any kind during the seizure
- Antipyretic agents (paracetamol and/or ibuprofen) do not prevent febrile convulsions and should not be used specifically for this purpose.
NICE guidelines
General tips
- After a period of time (usually a few seconds to a few minutes), the muscles relax, causing rhythmic jerking.
- Do not put anything in her mouth (the child may choke).
- Do not try to put a child in a bath to cool down.
- Once the seizure is over, the child may be sleepy or confused (but if excessively drowsy and/or confused phone for an ambulance).
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Febrile Convulsions in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
- NHS
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- Medscape
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- Pharmaceutical Journal
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- Healthline
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