Febrile seizure (children)

Alternative names:

seizure - fever induced

Treatment:

A child with febrile seizures, especially a first-time febrile seizure, should be brought to the emergency room for an examination.
First aid interventions for a seizure may include prevention of injury (by removing surrounding objects on which the child may become injured), turning the child to the side to prevent aspiration of vomit or mucus into the lungs, and watching to make sure the tongue does not obstruct breathing. DO NOT stick anything into the individual's mouth.

Treat the fever with acetaminophen - oral or ibuprofen.. Aspirin should not be used to treat fever in children with possible viral infections because this increases the risk of Reye's syndrome. The CAUSE of the fever should be treated.

Medications may be prescribed to treat the seizures. Single episodes may not be treated with anticonvulsant medications.

If the seizure(s) is not stopped by the time the child reaches the hospital, then it is probably not a "simple" febrile seizure

Expectations (prognosis):

Febrile seizures are not generally chronic or recurring. Some children will be more susceptible to future febrile seizures than other children. Two or more episodes may indicate susceptibility to febrile seizures. Most children outgrow the tendency to develop febrile seizures.

If a single seizure does not last longer than fiveminutes, the chances of brain injury or chronic seizure disorder are minimal. Prolonged or repeated seizures, or febrile seizures that are not the typical grand-mal type, or abnormalities on EEG or neurologic examination may indicate a risk for future seizures unrelated to a fever.

Complications:

• seizures (unrelated to fever)
• an injury that results from falling or bumping into objects
• biting one's self
• aspiration of fluid into the lungs, pneumonia
• permanent brain damage
• side effects of medications used to treat and prevent seizures (if prescribed)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if this is the first time the child has had seizures, or if this is a new type of seizure for the child. Also call if any other symptoms occur, such as changes in mental status (drowsiness, restlessness, confusion, sedation, or others), nausea or vomiting, rash, loss of hair, tremors or abnormal movements, or problems with coordination.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a seizure lasts longer than two to three minutes. Also go if repeated seizures occur (over any amount of time). Prolonged and repeated seizures indicate emergency situations.