We understand that witnessing a febrile convulsion can be a very scary experience.
However, it’s important to know that febrile convulsions are usually not as severe as they may appear.
What is Febrile Seizure?
Febrile convulsions commonly occur in children aged 6 months to 6 years, affecting about 1 in 30 children.
Simple febrile seizures generally last less than 5 minutes. They involve the whole body becoming stiff and then jerking all four limbs. The child may be sleepy afterwards but should return to normal within a couple of hours.
What Causes Febrile Seizure?
Any illness that causes a fever, typically a cold or other viral infection, can result in febrile seizure.
Febrile seizures usually occur on the first day of a fever, regardless of its severity. It’s important to know that sponging or fanning may not be the best method to control your child’s temperature. In fact, they can actually cause blood vessel constriction, which can lead to a further increase in temperature.
Febrile seizure is Epilepsy?
Anti-seizure medication for prevention of future seizures is usually not necessary.
30% of children with febrile seizures may have further seizures with febrile illnesses. The risk of having another seizure rapidly decreases after the age of 3.
Febrile seizures are not epilepsy. It’s important to note that majority of children with febrile seizures never have seizures again after they reach school age.
What to do if your child has another febrile seizure?
In event of a seizure, please follow these instructions:
- Place your child on his/ her side on a soft surface with face turned to one side. This will prevent your child from swallowing any vomit and keep their airway protected.
- Stay with your child and note down the time the seizure starts and stops.
- Do not put anything into your child’s mouth.
- If the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, seek immediate medical help by calling 995 for an ambulance.
- If the seizure lasts less than 5 minutes, please seek medical advice if you are concerned.
- If the hospital has given you rescue medicine (Rectal Diazepam), and the convulsion continues for more than 5 minutes, give the medicine as directed on the label. This should stop the convulsion within 10 minutes. If it doesn’t, please seek immediate medical help by calling 995 for an ambulance.
When shall I see a Paediatric Neurologist?
- Recurrent Febrile Seizures
- Children who are < 6 months or > 6 years of age
- Febrile Status Epilepticus (prolonged seizure > 5mins)
- Febrile Seizures with Focal features
- Febrile Seizures that are not tonic-clonic
- Developmental Delay or Regression or Plateau
- Developed seizures without fever
(Reference: New Zealand Epilepsy: Guidelines & Pathways for Children and Young People, 2023)
For more information about Seizures or Epilepsy, please click Seizure & Epilepsy
If you have any further questions, you can schedule an appointment today with Dr Yeo.
