A febrile seizure is a seizure or convulsion caused by a sudden increase in a child’s body temperature and often the seizure can be the first sign of a fever. These can occur because the developing brain of a toddler or child is more sensitive to fever than an adult brain.
There appears to be a tendency for these seizures to run in families.
Febrile seizures are relatively common and typically happen between the ages of six months and six years. Between 2-4% of children have one or more febrile seizures by the age of five years. Approximately two thirds of these children will only have the one seizure, while others will have a seizure with following fevers.
It is generally not possible to prevent a febrile seizure from occurring.
Symptoms of febrile seizures
Febrile seizures can upsetting to witness, but they are generally not harmful to your child. Symptoms of typically include:
- the body may become stiff and/or have jerking movements
- the child will not respond (loss of consciousness)
- the eyes may roll back
- breathing is affected and shallow
- the child may be red or very pale/bluish in the face
- deep sleep is likely to happen for an hour or so afterwards.
Most febrile seizures are over in less than 2 minutes. Febrile seizures almost always stop by themselves.
First Aid for Seizures
To manage a febrile seizure is the same approach as any convulsive seizure.
- Stay with the child
- Time the seizure and watch them closely so you can describe it to the doctor later
- Keep them safe: protect them from injury especially the head
- Roll them onto their side after the seizure stops,
- or immediately if there’s food, fluid, or vomit is in the mouth
- Observe and monitor their breathing
DO NOT
- Put anything in their mouth
- Restrain them or hold them down
Treating the child’s fever with paracetamol or ibuprofen will not prevent a febrile seizure from happening.
Managing a fever
A fever is usually a sign your child is fighting an infection. If the fever is making your child miserable, you can help them to feel more comfortable by:
- Making sure they are drinking enough to avoid becoming dehydrated
- Dress them in light clothing or use light bedding. Don’t do cool baths or sponging (this can make them more uncomfortable and shiver, which may further increase the fever)
- You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen if the fever is making your child hot and uncomfortable. Check the medicine packaging for the recommended dose and frequency
- Check here for further information about when to seek medical help for a fever.
Calling an ambulance (000)
Most people will call an ambulance for their child’s first seizure, and it is important that you get your child seen by a doctor after a febrile seizure has occurred, especially if your child is very sick.
We also recommend calling an ambulance if:
- You are in any doubt
- An injury has occurred
- The child has breathing difficulties after the seizure stops
- There is food, fluid or vomit in mouth (they may have inhaled it)
- The seizure happens in water
- Another seizure quickly follows
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 mins
- The child does not wake up when the seizure stops
Outlook
In most cases, you can look after your child at home after a doctor has seen them for a febrile seizure. You may also find that your child may be sore, tired and grumpy for a day or two afterwards. Occasionally, children who have had a long febrile seizure need to be monitored in hospital for a while.
For most children the risk of developing epilepsy is no different from that of the general population and their development is not affected.
A very small proportion of febrile seizures are more complicated – that is, if the seizure last longer than 15 minutes, multiple seizures happen in a short space of time, or if the seizures have focal features. In this group the risk of developing epilepsy is slightly higher, but still low.
