The child's temperature is often higher than 38 °C (100.4 °F), while most have fevers above 39 °C (102.2 °F). Seizures might occasionally occur within the first 24 hours after the fever has developed. The core symptoms include loss of consciousness, opened eyes, tilted heads, erratic breathing, increased secretions or foaming at the mouth, and the kid may seem pale or blue (cyanotic). The arms and legs will occasionally twitch rhythmically as the torso stiffens. The youngster could vomit and be incontinent (wet or dirty). The infant may appear dead for several minutes following the seizure (the postictal state). Such seizures frequently come as a shock to the family and, in difficult situations, call for medical intervention.
A febrile seizure sometimes referred to as a fever fit or a febrile convulsion, is a kind of seizure that is accompanied by an increased body temperature but no intracranial infection. These seizures only occur in children under the age of five, beginning as early as six months. Between 12 and 18 months of age, febrile seizures most frequently happen. The majority of the time, these seizures are brief and benign. Most kids who have them will bounce back fast and will not have any difficulties or long−term repercussions. However, complex febrile seizures are associated with an increased risk of developing epilepsy of 2.5% to 5% in children.
All three of the following are present in simple febrile seizures −
Both of your child's body's sides are impacted. "Generalised" seizures happen when your child has them on both sides of their body (instead of focal seizures, which only affect one side of their body).
They vanish quickly. Less than 15 minutes pass during brief febrile seizures.
It is a singular occurrence, and no more than one simple febrile seizure occurs in 24 hours.
A complex febrile seizure is present if the three conditions mentioned earlier are not met. Complex febrile seizures are more likely to require medical attention, indicating a higher risk of developing seizure disorders.
Trembling − Trembling of the body is seen. The muscles on one or both sides of the body become uncontrollable in a youngster experiencing a febrile seizure. Typically, this entails trembling, stiffening, or tensing.
Consciousness − the conscious state is lost. The child will either fall asleep, or their eyes will drift back. Either shaking or loss of consciousness can occur.
Losing control − The child might drool, urinate (pee), defecate, or vomit (poop).
Febrile seizures are more prevalent in males than in girls. With a higher occurrence around 18 months of age, they most frequently affect children between the ages of 6 months and five years. Most seizures last less than five minutes, and most children recover rapidly. As discussed, there are two types of febrile seizures − simple and complicated febrile seizures. A child with simple febrile seizures has a single, brief episode of generalized seizures while otherwise healthy. Complex febrile seizures involve two or more seizures within a 24−hour period, a length of more than 15 minutes, and focused symptoms such as jerking of only one side of the body. Simple febrile seizures account for 60 to 70 percent of cases.
Febrile seizures result from fever. As a child's temperature increases on the first day of an illness, febrile seizures are more prevalent. Their fever is probably at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Children may occasionally experience a seizure before getting sick. Virus−related fevers frequently result in febrile convulsions. However, any form of illness might be at blame for the fever, including −
Chickenpox.
Coronavirus (COVID−19).
Ear infections.
Encephalitis.
Influenza.
Malaria (in regions where this condition is possible).
Meningitis.
Stomach flu (gastroenteritis).
Strep throat.
Tonsillitis.
Upper respiratory infections.
Children with one febrile seizure are more likely to get another. A child's chance of experiencing a second febrile seizure is around 1 in 3. One in ten kids who suffer febrile seizures will go on to experience three or more over their whole life. The risk is greatest when a kid experiences a febrile seizure before one year old.
The majority of the time, simple febrile seizures do not require treatment. Most of the time, they last only a few minutes, and children swiftly bounce back from them. During febrile diseases, parents can administer fever−reducing drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin), but these drugs cannot stop febrile seizures from occurring.
More frequently, complex febrile seizures require medical attention than simple febrile seizures. Rectal diazepam (Diastat), which may be used at home, may be indicated for kids who often experience protracted febrile seizures. The kid suffers more than one seizure in 24 hours, or the seizure lasts more than five minutes. Rarely are febrile seizures prevented by taking daily anti−seizure prescription drugs, which is usually not essential.
Simple febrile seizures usually pose little danger. Research findings show that simple febrile seizures are not linked to long−term risk. Additionally, there is little to no proof that uncomplicated febrile seizures raise the possibility of developing epilepsy. Future seizure disorders are slightly more likely to develop after complex febrile episodes. According to the information that is currently available, between 2.5% and 5% of kids who have complicated febrile seizures will eventually develop epilepsy. However, most kids who experience complicated febrile seizures do not suffer any long−term consequences.
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