Understanding Febrile Seizures in Children

Around 2 to 4 per cent of children under the age of 5 experience febrile seizures. Most of these seizures or convulsions happen when children are approximately 12 to 18 months old when their body temperature exceeds 100.4ºF (38ºC) due to a fever.

While they can be concerning, febrile seizures usually do not cause brain damage or affect a child's cognitive abilities.

One important thing to take note is that experiencing a febrile seizure does not imply the presence of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a different condition that involves recurrent seizures unrelated to fever, typically occurring in two or more episodes.

Febrile seizures are typically not preventable.

Simple Febrile Seizures

The most frequent form of febrile seizure is known as simple febrile seizures. In these instances, the child may lose consciousness and undergo convulsions or rhythmic twitching in their arms or legs.

Typically, simple febrile seizures last for only 1 to 2 minutes, although some may persist for up to 15 minutes. After the seizure, the child might feel disoriented or sleepy but does not display weakness in their arms or legs.

Complex Febrile Seizures

Complex febrile seizures, although less frequent, can extend beyond 15 minutes, and in some cases, may persist for up to 30 minutes if they occur consecutively. Following these seizures, children may display temporary weakness in one of their arms or legs.

Causes of Febrile Seizures in Children

The exact causes of febrile seizures remain unclear. It is believed that a family history of febrile seizures may increase the risk.

As mentioned earlier, febrile seizures commonly occur when a child's body temperature rises. Usually, this fever is a result of an infection.

The three most common infections associated with febrile seizures are viral infections, such as chickenpox and influenza (flu), middle ear infections (otitis media), and tonsillitis.

Diagnosis of Febrile Seizures in Children

Bring your child to the emergency department to be evaluated by a doctor.

Describe about your child’s seizure such as how long did the seizure last, what happened during the seizure such as stiffening of the body, twitching of the face, arms, and legs, staring, and loss of consciousness, and whether your child recovered within an hour.

Diagnostic tests such as blood test and urine test are conducted to check for signs of infection and to identify the source of the infection while ruling out more serious conditions that can present with similar symptoms, such as meningitis.

Management of Febrile Seizures in Children

For the child's safety, parents and caregivers can follow the following guide during a febrile seizure episode:

1. Remain calm.
2. Place the child on a protected surface, such as the floor, to prevent injury. Avoid restraining or holding the child during the seizure.
3. Place the child on their side or stomach to prevent choking. Carefully remove any objects from the child’s mouth. Avoid putting anything into the child’s mouth during a seizure, as it may block the airway and impede breathing.
4. Note down the start time of the seizure.
   1. If it lasts longer than five minutes, send the child to the nearest hospital immediately.
   2. If the seizure is less than five minutes, but the child does not seem to be recovering quickly, send the child to the nearest hospital immediately.
5. See a doctor if the child experiences their first febrile seizure. After the seizure subsides, seek medical attention especially if the child show symptoms of meningitis, such as a stiff neck, severe fatigue, or persistent vomiting.

Make an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

If you want to know more about febrile seizures in children, get in touch with us to book an appointment today for a consultation, or visit our Paediatric Care Department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.