How scary it would be if your little one had been playing well and suddenly developed a fever, then started shaking, and perhaps even lost consciousness. It's actually normal to feel anxious at that time. This type of seizure that comes with a fever is what we medically call a 'febrile seizure' . It's understandable for new parents to be worried when they see this. But if we are properly informed about this, we can face such a situation calmly. So, let's talk about this in more detail today, shall we?
What is a febrile seizure?
Simply put, a febrile seizure is a condition caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain when your child has a fever . The most common symptoms are uncontrollable body movements, known as 'convulsions' , and brief periods of loss of consciousness.
This type of febrile seizure usually occurs in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years . It is especially common in the first three years of life.
The best part is, most febrile seizures are not that serious . However, as a parent, they can be very scary for you. So, if your child experiences something like this, it's a good idea to get them checked out by a doctor.
Are there types of febrile seizures?
Yes, febrile seizures can be divided into two main types:
1. Simple febrile seizure:
- This type of seizure lasts less than 15 minutes .
- Usually unconscious and convulsing.
- The child only has one seizure like this within 24 hours.
2. Complex febrile seizure:
- This may take more than 15 minutes .
- Sometimes the contractions may stop and start again, or they may continue.
- Some children may only show symptoms on one side of the body.
- It is possible to have more than one seizure within 24 hours.
It is important to know about these two types, because it will be helpful when explaining the details to a doctor.
What are the symptoms of a febrile seizure?
When a febrile seizure occurs, you may see symptoms like:
- Uncontrollable muscle movements (convulsions): These may look like the baby is having a seizure. Sometimes the muscles may tighten, pull, or twitch.
- Passing out: The child may pass out. The eyes may also roll up at this time.
- Loss of body control: This can include things like salivation, vomiting, and involuntary urination or defecation.
In a simple febrile seizure, these symptoms usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes. However, in a complex febrile seizure, the duration can be longer than 15 minutes and can occur several times a day.
What causes febrile seizures?
Febrile seizures can have many causes. The word "febrile" means "related to fever." This often happens during the first few days of illness when a child has a high temperature. It is usually diagnosed when the fever is over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius), but this can vary from child to child. Seizures can be caused by illnesses that cause fever, such as:
- Chickenpox
- Coronavirus `(COVID-19)`
- Ear infection
- Influenza `(influenza)`
- RSV virus `(RSV - respiratory syncytial virus)`
- Upper respiratory infection
Just think, sometimes a child can have a seizure before they get a fever. That's also possible.
Another important thing to remember is that some childhood vaccinations can cause fever as a side effect. Although rare, if a child has a febrile seizure after a vaccination, it is because of the fever, not the vaccination itself. This is important to remember.
Infections of the brain and spinal cord, such as ``encephalitis'' (inflammation of the brain) and ``meningitis'' (meningitis), do not cause febrile seizures. However, these infections can cause other types of seizures (not caused by fever).
Are febrile seizures genetic?
Yes, there are some genes associated with febrile seizures. That is, a child's risk of developing the condition may be increased by those genes. It has been found that between 10% and 33% of children who develop febrile seizures have a close family member with a history of seizures . This means that if someone in your family has had seizures before, there is a small chance that your little one will also have febrile seizures.
What are the risk factors for febrile seizures?
This condition is actually relatively common – it's the most common type of seizure in childhood. Your child may be at increased risk of having a febrile seizure for the following reasons:
- Being an infant under one year of age or under 5 years of age.
- Hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for more than 28 days.
- Having developmental delays.
- Having an infection.
- Having a family history of seizures.
Sometimes a seizure only happens once. However, your child may be at increased risk of having more than one seizure if:
- If the first seizure occurred before the age of 12 months.
- If anyone in the family has a history of seizures.
- If seizures occur as the first sign of an illness, before other symptoms appear.
What are the long-term effects of febrile seizures?
Most of the time, febrile seizures are harmless, and they usually don't cause any long-term effects. So don't be too alarmed.
Your child may have more than one seizure before the age of 5. This is not uncommon. However, if your child has multiple seizures, some studies have found that they may have difficulty reaching language development milestones that are expected at that age.
Additionally, research has found that complex febrile seizures may slightly increase the risk of developing a seizure disorder in the future.
How to recognize febrile seizures?
To diagnose this condition, a doctor will take your child's medical history and do a physical exam. This may be done in an emergency room or at your child's doctor's office. The doctor will check your child's fever and ask about symptoms. They may also do blood or urine tests to find out what's causing the fever.
How do you treat febrile seizures?
If it's your child's first febrile seizure, they may recover quickly. However, you should see your child's doctor or go to the emergency room to make sure it's really a febrile seizure or something more serious.
A doctor may recommend treatment for the cause of the fever, such as age-appropriate fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®), ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin®), or other medications.
Medication for complicated febrile seizures
A complex febrile seizure (a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes, or more than one seizure in 24 hours) is more likely to require treatment. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe medications such as:
- Midazolam given into the nose (intranasal midazolam).
- Intravenous benzodiazepines.
- Rectal diazepam.
These medications are given to stop seizures. But these are only given on medical advice.
What do you do when you have a febrile seizure?
If your child has had a febrile seizure before, your child's doctor will give you instructions on first aid and treatment at home. In general, you should do the following:
- Stay calm: It's true that it can be very scary to see your child having a seizure. However, it's important to stay as calm as possible. If you panic, you won't be able to help properly.
- Check the time: Record the duration of your child's seizure. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, you should call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
- Lay your baby down slowly and carefully: Do not place your baby on a table or bed. Also, do not try to hold your baby with your hands or hold him tightly. Doing so increases the risk of injury.
- Turn the baby on his side: Turn the baby on his side to prevent liquids (saliva or vomit) from entering the lungs and getting stuck.
- Do not put anything in the mouth: Remove objects such as toys from the child's mouth. Do not put anything in the mouth that could get stuck.
It is very important to know these first aid tips properly, because if you do these things without panicking at that time, it will be a great help to the child.
What can you expect after a febrile seizure?
Not all children react the same way after a seizure. It is normal for a child to feel confused and tired after regaining consciousness. It may take a few minutes for the child to start behaving normally again. It is important to take good care of the child during this time. Let the child rest. Stay in touch with the child's doctor and follow his or her instructions.
How long does a febrile seizure last?
Febrile seizures usually last only a few minutes. Simple seizures can last from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Complex seizures can last longer than 15 minutes.
Timing is very important. A rare complication is a condition called febrile status epilepticus . In this case, the seizure lasts more than 30 minutes. This is a medical emergency.
Can febrile seizures be prevented?
Febrile seizures are difficult to predict and usually cannot be prevented. Even if you treat your child's fever, there is still a risk that seizures will occur.
When should you see a doctor?
If your child has a febrile seizure for the first time, you should definitely seek medical advice. If your child has a seizure for the first time, contact a doctor or emergency services.
If your child has a history of seizures, your child's pediatrician will be able to give you the best advice on what to do in such a situation. He or she will also tell you what symptoms you should be aware of.
When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
You should seek emergency medical attention for a febrile seizure in any of the following cases:
- This is the child's first seizure.
- If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
- If the child has difficulty breathing .
- If the child shows signs of a brain or spinal cord infection (e.g., neck stiffness or pain, excessive sleepiness, persistent vomiting).
- If the child is slow to recover (if it takes an hour or more to return to normal).
- If the child is injured during the seizure.
Finally, things to remember
Febrile seizures can be very scary, especially if your child has never had one before. However, most of the time, these seizures are short-lived, and children recover quickly without any long-term effects.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, talk to your child's pediatrician. He or she can provide you with the guidance and information you need to ease your fears. Also, ask him or her about how to administer first aid in the event of a seizure. That way, if your child has a febrile seizure in the future, you will be prepared. Don't panic, the most important thing is to be informed!
` Febrile seizures, seizures in children, fever, febrile seizures, pediatrics, first aid, children's health
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