Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Febrile Seizures

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Febrile Seizures

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: February 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

What is a seizure?

A seizure is a brief period during which your child might become unconscious and parts of her body may twitch.
During a seizure, the body goes into convulsions.

What causes a febrile seizure?

A febrile seizure is triggered by a high fever.
The high fever could be due to infection.
If your child has a seizure, call the doctor right away to determine the cause of the fever.
Febrile seizures are not a sign of epilepsy. However, children with epilepsy are more likely to have febrile seizures.

What happens during the seizure?

A febrile seizure usually lasts less than 5 minutes but can last up to 15 minutes.
Your child's arms and legs may twitch and jerk.
Her eyes might roll back into her head.
She may lose consciousness.
She may lose bladder or bowel control.
After the seizure, your child may cry or be very tired.

Who can get them?

They are most common in young children between 6 months and 5 years old.
Children 12-18 months old are at greatest risk of having a febrile seizure.
Children usually stop having febrile seizures by the time they are 5 or 6 years old.
Parents who have had seizures may be more likely to have children who have seizures.

What should I do when my child has seizure?

Febrile seizures often scare parents, but they are usually harmless to the child.
The two most important things to do are 1)Make sure that your child is breathing and 2)Keep your child from hurting herself.

Stay calm and follow a few simple steps:

Make sure your child is breathing. If her lips turn bluish, this is a sign that she is not breathing.
Call for emergency help if your child is not breathing. If you know CPR, give CPR while you wait.
If your child is breathing okay, move her to the floor or ground so she doesn't fall.
Lay your child on her side to prevent choking.
Remove any objects near your child including tables and chairs.
Loosen clothes that your child is wearing.
Do not hold your child down or interfere with her movements.
Never put anything in your child's mouth during a seizure.
Call the doctor as soon as possible.
Your child will probably fall into a deep sleep after her seizure. This is normal. Do not wake her up. Do not give her food or drink while she is asleep.
Your doctor may tell you to try to reduce your child's fever.

How are they treated?

The doctor will examine your child to find the cause of the fever.
The doctor will give you recommendations on how to treat your child's fever or illness and may give you suggestions for preventing future seizures.

Can febrile seizures be prevented?

If your child has had a febrile seizure before, you may be able to prevent future seizures.
Try to control your child's fever as soon as she becomes ill. The seizures usually happen on the first day of illness.
Give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to reduce fever.
Do not give your child aspirin.

When should I call the doctor?

If your child has a seizure, call the doctor right away to determine the cause of the seizure and fever.
Call the doctor if your child's seizure lasts over 5 minutes.
Call the doctor if your child has more than one seizure.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's condition.

Quick Answers

A seizure is a brief period during which your child might become unconscious and parts of her body may twitch.
A febrile seizure is triggered by a high fever.
A febrile seizure usually lasts less than 5 minutes but can last 15 minutes.
They are most common in young children between 6 months and 5 years old.
During the seizure make sure that your child is breathing and keep her from hurting herself.
After the seizure, call the doctor. The doctor will examine your child to find the cause of the seizure and fever.
To prevent future seizures, try to control your child's fever as soon as she becomes ill.
Call the doctor if your child has a seizure.

References

Mayo Foundation of Medical Education and Research. What are Febrile Seizures? MayoClinic.com. 2001 March 06 (cited 2002 January 18). Available from: URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/conditioncenters/invoke.cfm?objectid=3C238DA4-7A06-4ED1-AF959E54F6001E4A&printpage=true
National Institute of neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS Febrile Seizures Information Page. 2001 July 1 (cited 2002 January 18). Available from: URL: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/febrile_seizures.htm
Rutherford, K MD. Seizures. KidsHealth. 2001 June (cited 2002 January 18). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=21656

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