Has your little one had a seizure with a fever? (Febrile Seizures) – Don't worry, let's talk about this!

Mom, Dad, how scary it would be if your baby suddenly had a fever and started having a seizure? It's normal to be worried at that time. But if you are properly informed about this, you can help your child in the right way without being afraid or worried. Today, let's talk about the seizure that comes with this fever, that is, `(Febrile Seizures)`.

What is a febrile seizure?

Simply put, a febrile seizure is a seizure that occurs when a young child has a fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) . The word febrile means 'fever-related'. The seizure usually lasts for a few minutes and then stops on its own. However, a fever can last for a while.

Most of the time, these seizures resolve without any special treatment, and they do not cause any other major health problems. Some children may feel a little tired or sleepy after a seizure. Others may be fine and may be fine.

Who is more likely to have this type of seizure?

This condition, called ``Febrile Seizures'', is usually seen in young children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years . It is most common between the ages of one and one and a half years (12-18 months).

Now let's see who is most at risk for having this type of seizure:

• If someone in the family has had a febrile seizure like this before: that is, if the mother, father, or siblings had this condition when they were young, there is a small chance that the baby will also have it.
• If the baby has had a febrile seizure before: About one in three children who have had one will have it again. The second seizure usually occurs within a year or two of the first.
• If the baby is less than 15 months old when the first seizure occurs: This means that if it occurs at a very young age, the chances of it occurring again are slightly higher.

But there is good news. For most children , febrile seizures stop on their own by the time they are about 5 years old.

Another important thing is that ``Febrile Seizure'' is not epilepsy . The risk of a child who has had a febrile seizure later developing epilepsy is very small. Therefore , there is nothing to be worried about.

What are the symptoms of this seizure?

There are two main types of seizures that occur with fever. Let's take a look at them.

1. Simple Febrile Seizure

This is the type you see most often.This usually ends in a few minutes. But occasionally it can last up to 15 minutes. During this type of seizure, your baby may experience the following:

• The whole body is shaking, trembling, and stiffening.
• Eyes are rolling up.
• A sound like a groan comes from the mouth.
• Passing out.
• You may vomit or urinate (leak urine ) during a seizure.

2. Complex Febrile Seizure

This type of seizure is a little different.

• This may take more than 15 minutes.
• You can come more than once within 24 hours.
• It may be that only one side or part of the body is shaking or trembling, rather than the entire body.

Regardless of which of these two comes first, it's normal for a mother to feel scared as a parent. But knowing these signs can help you.

Why does this kind of seizure occur?

No one really knows what causes febrile seizures. But research suggests that they may be linked to certain viruses and how a child's brain responds to high fevers during the early stages of development, when the brain is still developing. This means that when the fever increases, some brain activity changes slightly, which can lead to seizures.

What should you do if your baby has a seizure?

This is the most important part. If your baby has a seizure with a fever, the first thing you need to do is stay calm. If you get anxious, you won't be able to do anything right. Then do these things:

• Immediately and carefully place the baby on a flat surface, such as the floor or a bed, as he could fall if he is on a high surface.
• Remove anything sharp, heavy, or dangerous from around the baby. The baby may be jerking during a seizure, so bumping into these objects can cause injury .
• Turn the baby to one side and have him lie down. This will help prevent saliva from getting stuck in the mouth and, if he vomits, from getting into the airway.
• Loosen any clothing around your neck (e.g., a collar, tie) to make it easier to breathe.
• Look for signs of difficulty breathing, especially if the face turns blue.
• If possible, try to remember how long the seizure lasted. You will need to tell this to your doctor.

Very important:If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, or if the baby turns blue, it may be more serious than a simple febrile seizure. Call 1990 (Suvaseriya) immediately and get an ambulance, or take the baby to the nearest hospital immediately.

What should you not do when having a seizure?

There are also things we should not do when a baby has a seizure. It is very important to remember these.

• Do not hold the baby tightly or try to stop the convulsions. Doing so will not stop the convulsions and may even injure the baby.
• Do not put anything in your baby's mouth. Putting things like spoons and keys in their mouths with the thought of biting their tongue can damage their teeth and gums. Sometimes, those things can even get stuck in their throat.
• Do not try to give fever-reducing medication during a seizure. If you give the medication while the person is unconscious, it may get stuck in the throat.
• Do not try to bathe your baby in cold water or warm water immediately. Doing so to reduce fever can actually make the seizure worse.

By not doing these things, you can prevent potential harm to the baby.

What do you do after the seizure stops?

As soon as the seizure stops, you should see a doctor for advice. It is important to find out what is causing the fever. The doctor will examine the baby and ask you about how the seizure started. In most cases, no other special treatment is needed.

However, if the baby is under a year old, or if there are other symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, the doctor may order blood tests and urine tests.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever. But remember, giving these medications around the clock will not prevent febrile seizures. So, as your doctor says, only give the medication when you have a fever.

If your baby has had more than one seizure, or multiple seizures that last longer than 5 minutes, the doctor may prescribe anti-seizure medicine that can be given at home.

When is emergency treatment needed? (When should you call 1990?)

There are some situations when you need to provide emergency medical care to your baby without delay. Here are some of them:

• If the febrile seizure lasts more than 5 minutes .
• If only one part of the body (e.g. one arm, one leg) is shaking, not the whole body.
• If it seems like it's hard to breathe, or if the baby is turning blue.
• If the baby does not respond normally after the seizure stops (does not look when spoken to, is difficult to wake).
• Another seizure within 24 hoursIf you come.
• If a doctor had to give you anti-seizure medicine to stop the seizures.

In a situation like this, call 1990 immediately, or take the person to the nearest hospital.

Do you also need to be careful about meningitis?

Yes, this is something to keep in mind. Sometimes, especially if a child has not been properly vaccinated , a febrile seizure can be a sign of a brain infection like meningitis. Therefore, if you have any of the symptoms listed below along with a febrile seizure, seek medical attention immediately.

• Stiff neck (difficulty bending the neck).
• Frequent and excessive vomiting.
• It's hard to look at the light, it shows sensitivity to the outside .
• If you are a nursing baby, the soft spot (fontanelle) on the top of your head may appear to be protruding forward .

These could be symptoms of meningitis, so prompt treatment is very important.

Finally, the most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Mom and Dad, it's true that febrile seizures can be very scary. But remember these things:

Febrile seizures are a relatively common condition that often affects children. And, they are usually not a sign of a serious illness.

• Don't panic, calmly help the baby as we talked about.
• Even if the seizure stops in a few minutes, you should definitely see a doctor to find out the cause of the fever.
• For most children, this condition goes away on its own by the time they are about 5 years old.
• This is not epilepsy.

If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to talk to your family doctor. They will be able to give you more information. Wishing your baby a speedy recovery!

Febrile Seizures, Young Children, Fever, Seizures, Pediatrics, Emergency Treatment