Febrile Seizures: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of febrile seizures?

Febrile seizures are convulsions that can occur in young children when their body temperature suddenly rises, often in response to an infection or illness. The symptoms of febrile seizures can vary, but may include:

1. Loss of consciousness: The child may lose consciousness or appear to be unaware of their surroundings during a seizure.
2. Body stiffness: The child’s muscles may become stiff or rigid during a seizure.
3. Jerking movements: The child may experience jerking or twitching movements, typically on both sides of the body.
4. Unusual eye movements: The child’s eyes may roll back or gaze in a fixed direction during a seizure.
5. Loss of bladder or bowel control: The child may lose control of their bladder or bowels during a seizure.
6. Breathing difficulties: The child’s breathing may be irregular or temporarily stop during a seizure.

Febrile seizures are typically brief, lasting for a few seconds to a few minutes, and are generally harmless. However, they can be frightening for parents and caregivers to witness. It’s important to stay calm and ensure the child’s safety during a seizure by gently laying them on their side on a soft surface and removing any nearby objects that could cause injury.

After a febrile seizure, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause of the fever and to rule out any serious conditions. Most children who experience febrile seizures do not have any long-term complications, but it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider to monitor the child’s health.

What are the causes of febrile seizures?

Febrile seizures are most commonly caused by a sudden spike in body temperature, often in response to an infection or illness. Some of the common causes of febrile seizures include:

1. Viral infections: Febrile seizures are often associated with common viral infections, such as the flu, colds, or gastroenteritis.
2. Bacterial infections: Certain bacterial infections, such as ear infections, urinary tract infections, or pneumonia, can also trigger febrile seizures.
3. Immunizations: Febrile seizures can sometimes occur as a reaction to certain vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.
4. Genetics: There may be a genetic predisposition to febrile seizures, as they tend to run in families.
5. Other factors: Factors such as a family history of febrile seizures, young age (between 6 months and 5 years), and a rapid increase in body temperature may also increase the risk of febrile seizures.

It’s important to note that while febrile seizures can be triggered by a fever, the seizure itself is not caused by the fever. Instead, the fever is often a symptom of an underlying infection or illness that is triggering the seizure.

How is the diagnosis of febrile seizure made?

The diagnosis of a febrile seizure is typically made based on the child’s medical history, the description of the seizure provided by witnesses, and a physical examination. There is no specific test to diagnose a febrile seizure, but healthcare providers may perform certain tests to rule out other possible causes of the seizure. These tests may include:

1. Blood tests: Blood tests may be done to check for signs of infection or other underlying conditions that could be causing the fever and seizure.
2. Urinalysis: A urinalysis may be done to check for signs of a urinary tract infection, which can sometimes cause a fever and seizure.
3. Imaging tests: In some cases, imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan may be done to rule out other possible causes of the seizure, such as a brain infection or tumor.
4. Electroencephalogram (EEG): An EEG may be done to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain and look for any abnormalities that could be associated with seizures.

In most cases, a febrile seizure is diagnosed based on the child’s history and the characteristics of the seizure. It’s important for parents and caregivers to provide as much information as possible about the seizure, including details about the child’s fever, any recent illnesses or infections, and the duration and nature of the seizure.

If a child has a febrile seizure, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause of the fever and to rule out any serious conditions. Most children who experience febrile seizures do not have any long-term complications, but it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider to monitor the child’s health.

What is the treatment for febrile seizures?

The primary treatment for febrile seizures is focused on keeping the child safe during the seizure and addressing the underlying cause of the fever. Most febrile seizures are brief and do not require specific treatment. However, in some cases, healthcare providers may recommend the following treatments:

1. Fever management: To help reduce the child’s fever and prevent future febrile seizures, healthcare providers may recommend giving the child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed.
2. Cooling measures: To help lower the child’s body temperature, healthcare providers may recommend removing excess clothing, using a fan, or giving the child a lukewarm bath.
3. Seizure medications: In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to help prevent future febrile seizures, especially if the child has had multiple or prolonged seizures.
4. Treatment of underlying cause: If the febrile seizure is caused by an underlying infection or illness, healthcare providers will focus on treating the underlying cause. This may include antibiotics for bacterial infections or antiviral medications for viral infections.

It’s important for parents and caregivers to stay calm during a febrile seizure and to ensure that the child is safe. After the seizure, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause of the fever and to rule out any serious conditions. Most children who experience febrile seizures do not have any long-term complications, but it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider to monitor the child’s health.

When do children outgrow febrile seizures?

Most children outgrow febrile seizures by the age of 6, with the majority of children experiencing their last febrile seizure between the ages of 18 months and 6 years. The risk of febrile seizures decreases as children get older, and by the time they reach school age, the likelihood of experiencing a febrile seizure is very low.

While febrile seizures are generally considered harmless and do not cause long-term health problems, it’s important for parents and caregivers to work closely with healthcare providers to manage their child’s fevers and monitor for any underlying conditions that may be causing the seizures. In some cases, children who have febrile seizures may be at a slightly increased risk of developing epilepsy later in life, but the overall risk is still low.