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FEBRILE CONVULSIONS IN CHILDREN

© Kathleen Newton

As any parent will tell you, having a sick child is very stressful, for both the child and the parent(s). Fevers are no exception. Sometimes fever from infection can rise to a critical point where the child's body cannot regulate its temperature. When this happens, the child has a convulsion, or seizure. Febrile convulsions are not uncommon, and an estimated 3% of children aged 6 months to 6 years suffer convulsion due to high fever. These seizures last only a few minutes (although those few minutes can feel like an eternity!) and in most cases, the child recovers with no aftereffects or lasting damage.

IF YOUR CHILD:

-has a history of current or recent infection,

-has a fever,

-has very hot, flushed skin,

BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FEBRILE CONVULSIONS:

-the eyes may roll back.

-the body may be very still, or very limp.

-shaking and twitching of the body.

-copious drooling.

-loss of bladder/bowel control.

-skin may take on a bluish cast.

During a seizure, breathing stops. After the seizure, which can last up to three minutes, breathing resumes spontaneously.

FIRST AID DURING A FEBRILE CONVULSION:

*Try to stay calm. I know, easier said than done, but try, for your sake and your child's.

*Remove any potentially hazardous objects from the vicinity of the convulsing child. Objects such as chairs, table legs, toys, and even pets, can cause injury to flailing legs and arms.

*DO NOT put anything in the child's mouth. Contrary to popular belief, the child will not swallow his or her tongue during the seizure. An object in the mouth can cause injury or choking.

*Don't move the child during the convulsion, unless the child is in an unsafe area, such as on stairs or in the bathtub.

FIRST AID AFTER A FEBRILE CONVULSION:

*If the child is not obviously breathing, check for breathing and initiate rescue breathing, if necessary.

*Reassure the child, since he or she will not understand what has happened. This is where your calm demeanor will help the most. If you appear calm and relaxed, it will help your child to feel the same way.

*Check and care for any injuries that may have happened during the seizure.

*If the child seems to recover from the convulsion with no aftereffects, call your health care provider to inform him or her of the situation, and ask for any further instructions.

CALL 911 IF:

*Multiple convulsions occur.

*Any convulsions last longer than five minutes.

The copyright of the article FEBRILE CONVULSIONS IN CHILDREN in First Aid is owned by Kathleen Newton. Permission to republish FEBRILE CONVULSIONS IN CHILDREN in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.