Febrile seizures are caused by fever and can accompany infections or vaccinations. They can vary in severity and duration, and may require medical attention. They are not usually a cause for long-term concern and do not indicate epilepsy or permanent neurological damage.
A febrile seizure is an atypical disruption in a child’s brain electrical activity caused by fever. In most cases, this type of seizure can accompany an infection or follow the administration of certain vaccinations. While most febrile seizures will subside without any treatment, those that are more severe in presentation and duration may require medical attention.
Witnessing a seizure can be a very scary event, especially for parents. It’s important to understand that a febrile seizure is simply the body’s way of drawing attention to a condition that might otherwise go unnoticed. An excessively high fever is a very serious condition that can cause long-term debilitating effects if left untreated. Often occurring at a threshold of about 102 degrees F (39 degrees C), a febrile seizure should be taken as an indicator that a child, who may not look or act like he or she feels sick, is indeed sick.
Also referred to as febrile seizures, children who experience this type of seizure will usually undergo a physical exam after the episode to determine the cause. A physical exam and laboratory tests, including a urinalysis and blood draw, may be conducted to check for markers suggestive of infection or other abnormalities that may have prompted the seizure. If a neurological infection is suspected, further tests may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the infection.
A febrile seizure can vary in its severity and duration. Babies in the midst of this type of seizure may show difficulty breathing and show involuntary muscle movements or jerks. It is also not uncommon for an individual’s eyes to roll back into their head. Seizures that last several minutes and are accompanied by stiffness, vomiting, or loss of consciousness are a serious medical situation that requires immediate and appropriate medical attention.
In most cases, a febrile seizure will go away on its own with no lingering effects. Because of how quickly the seizure comes on and passes, no treatment is usually needed other than putting the individual as comfortable as the situation allows. During the seizure, the child should remain where he is and turn on his side only if there is a risk of suffocation due to a buildup of mucus or saliva in the mouth. A damp or cool towel can be applied to his forehead to help lower his body temperature. Oral administration of any antipyretic drugs should be reserved once the convulsion has passed.
A febrile seizure does not indicate epilepsy, nor does the condition usually induce learning disabilities or permanent neurological damage. A small percentage of children will experience a febrile seizure at some point during early childhood. In most cases, this will happen when a child has an active infection that causes a fever, such as an ear infection. Although any child can have a febrile seizure, it is more likely to occur if he or she has a family history of seizures.
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