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Febrile Convulsion
What is a febrile
convulsion?
A febrile convulsion is a
common medical condition. Approximately three
percent of children aged 6 months to 6 years have
a convulsion when they have a fever or high
temperature.
What is a febrile
convulsion?
The febrile convulsion or fit happens when the
normal brain activity is disturbed. It usually
occurs without warning. During the fit your child
may:
- Become stiff or floppy
- Become unconscious or unaware of their
surroundings
- Display jerking or twitching movement.
- Have difficulty breathing.
What can the doctors do for my
child?
Your child's fit may stop
without any medical treatment. If it does stop
within 5 minutes, the doctor will need to manage
the fit and ensure it is treated quickly.
Even though the high temperature is usually
related to a viral infection, the doctor will need
to examine your child to try and understand the
cause of the high temperature. Further
investigations or blood tests may need to be done
to rule out other causes for the fever.
Can my child get another convulsion the
next time they have a fever?
Yes. The
chance of having another febrile convulsion in the
following year is 30%, but this means that 70% (or
7 out of 10 children) will not have another fit.
The risk of a second fit reduces every year and it
becomes extremely rare after they turn 6 years
old.
What does the future hold for my
child?
The outlook for a child with
simple febrile convulsions is excellent. There is
no evidence of "brain damage" in these children.
Your child is at no greater risk
of developing epilepsy in the future than children
who have not had a febrile
convulsion.
What should I do when my child develops
fever in the future?
To reduce the
fever you can use medicines, such as Paracetamol
(Panadol, Dymadon or Tylenol) as directed.
Remember that these medications will make your
child feel better from the fever but they do not
treat the infection that caused the fever. These
medicines do no prevent the fit from occurring.
You should take your child to see your local
doctor if your child looks unwell or if the fever
persists.
What should I do if my child has a
convulsion in the future?
Remember,
most fits will stop within seconds or a couple of
minutes without any medical treatment.
- Stay calm
- Look at your watch or a clock and time the
convulsion.
- Do not try to restrain your child and do not
put anything in their mouth.
- Stay with your child and lay them on their
side.
- Loosen tight clothing from around the neck
and move objects away that may cause injury.
- Arrange to see your local doctor/ general
practitioner after the convulsion has stopped.
Come to hospital
The fit last more than 5 minutes.
Another fit starts up after the first one
stops.
Your child has difficulty breathing or looks
particularly unwell.
Why is my child sleepy after the
episode?
Your child's brain will
become tired after the fit and your child will
need time to recover. If your child remains drowsy
or difficult to rouse after sleep, you should seek
medical attention.
Is there any treatment available if my
child has more frequent febrile convulsions at
home?
There is a medication called
Diazepam that is sometimes recommended for
children who have frequent febrile convulsions or
if the child has a history of febrile convulsions
that last longer than 5 minutes. Most children do
no require this medication. If you would like more
information about this treatment you should talk
with your doctor.
Are there any other medications
available to prevent febrile
convulsion?
Yes, however these
medications have to be taken every day and they
can have serious side effects. Because the outlook
for children with febrile convulsions is so good,
these regular medications are rarely necessary.
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