Febrile Seizure In Children

What is a febrile seizure?

A febrile seizure is a convulsion (uncontrolled shaking) caused by a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher. Febrile seizure is the most common seizure in children aged 3 months to 5 years old. The risk for febrile seizure decreases after a child is 6 years old. Febrile seizure is usually not harmful and has no long-term effects. Febrile seizures can be simple or complex. A simple febrile seizure lasts less than 15 minutes and does not happen again within 24 hours. A complex febrile seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes and may happen again during a 24-hour period.

What causes a febrile seizure?

• An infection with a virus or bacteria.
  
  
• Not enough iron in the blood.
  
  
• The vaccine given for measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox may cause a febrile seizure. This vaccine is usually given to children aged 12 to 23 months. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about this vaccine.

What increases my child's risk for a febrile seizure?

• Family members who have had one or more febrile seizures.
  
  
• Family history of epilepsy (repeated seizures).
  
  
• Babies younger than 12 months who have had a febrile seizure before.
  
  
• Serious medical conditions, such as brain injuries in newborns, tumors, and strokes.

What are the signs and symptoms of a febrile seizure?

Febrile seizures can be scary for parents. You may see the following during your child’s febrile seizure:

• Your child is not responding.
  
  
• Your child’s eyes may roll up and back.
  
  
• Your child's arms, legs, or face may twitch or make jerking movements.
  
  
• Your child's body may become stiff.
  
  
• Your child is sleepy after the seizure.

What are the risks of a febrile seizure?

Your child may need long-term treatment to prevent seizures. Long-term treatment may cause adverse effects. Adverse effects may include drowsiness (feeling sleepy), breathing problems, sleep problems, kidney failure, and coma. Children with complex febrile seizures may have a higher risk of meningitis. Meningitis is the swelling of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord.

How is a febrile seizure diagnosed?

Your child may have any of the following tests to check for illnesses that may have caused the febrile seizure. Ask your child’s caregiver for more information about the following tests:

• Blood tests: Your child may need blood taken for tests. The blood may be taken from your child's arm, hand, finger, foot, heel, or IV. Blood tests may give caregivers more information about what is causing your child's febrile seizure. Your child may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Lumbar puncture: This procedure may also be called a spinal tap. A small needle is placed into your child's lower back. Fluid will be removed from around your child's spinal cord and sent to the lab for tests. The test may be done to find out what is causing your child's febrile seizure.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your child's body. An MRI may be used to look at your child's brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. Your child will need to lie still during his MRI. Never enter the MRI room with any metal objects. This can cause serious injury.
  
  
• CT scan: This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your child's body. It may be used to look at your child's bones, muscles, brain, body organs, and blood vessels. Your child may be given dye by mouth or in an IV before the pictures are taken. The dye may help your child's caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if your child is allergic to shellfish or has other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• EEG: This test is also called an electroencephalogram. Many small pads or flat, metal buttons are put on your child's head. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine. This machine records a tracing of brain wave activity from different parts of your child's brain. Caregivers look at the tracing to see how your child's brain is working.

How is a febrile seizure treated?

Your child may not need treatment for his febrile seizure. Your child's caregiver may give your child anti-seizure medicines to prevent another seizure from happening. Your child may also need the following:

• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are medicines you can get without a doctor's order. They may decrease your child's fever.
  
  
• Give your child’s medicine as directed: Call your caregiver if you think your child’s medicine is not helping or if he has side effects. Tell your caregiver if your child is taking any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines your child takes. Include the amounts, and when and why he takes them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Aspirin may cause a very serious illness called Reye syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.

What should I do if my child has another seizure?

• Do not panic.
  
  
• Make sure your child’s clothing is loose around the neck.
  
  
• Place your child on his side to help prevent him from swallowing saliva (spit) or vomit.
  
  
• Do not give your child any medicines or liquids by mouth during the seizure.
  
  
• Time the length of the seizure.

When should I call my child's caregiver?

Call your child's caregiver if:

• Your child's fever does not go down even after you have given him fever medicine.
  
  
• Your child has diarrhea (loose bowel movement) or is vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child’s medicine or care.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your child is not responding after the seizure.
  
  
• Your child’s seizure lasts more than five minutes.
  
  
• Your child has more than one seizure before he is fully awake or aware.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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