Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service fact sheet

Emergency Department Febrile convulsions

What are febrile convulsions? When should you see someone? A febrile convulsion is a seizure or fit that occurs All children should be seen by a doctor after a febrile with fever, usually in children under five years of age. convulsion. The doctor will ensure that the convulsion Approximately one in 25 children (four per cent) will was due to a fever and will also look for the cause of experience a febrile convulsion at some time. the fever. This will involve an examination of your child and possibly some tests. Febrile convulsions often occur during the early stages of an illness when there is a rapid rise in body temperature. This means your child may have a febrile Care after a febrile convulsion convulsion before you even realise they are unwell. ■ Sometimes children who have febrile convulsions, particularly prolonged ones, will need to be ob- It is a very scary experience for most parents but does served in hospital for a period of time. not harm the child. ■ When your child is discharged from hospital, What causes febrile convulsions? resume your usual routines. The exact reasons behind febrile convulsions is ■ Your child may be ‘out of sorts’ for a day or so but unknown. We do know that children in general have a this will pass. lower seizure threshold than adults so they are more ■ No medications are required except paracetamol or prone to seizures. ibuprofen as you would usually use them. Regular paracetamol or ibuprofen does not prevent further Seizures are caused by a spike or rapid firing of febrile convulsions. the neurons (nerves) within the brain. In febrile convulsions this occurs when there is a rapid change in Follow up the body temperature of the child. ■ Usually no further investigations or follow up is The fever itself may be caused by any infection required after a first febrile convulsion. including viral upper respiratory infections (cold or flu), ■ Febrile convulsions do not cause brain damage and ear infections, pneumonia, bacterial diarrhoea and, will not affect your child’s development. more rarely, infection in the blood stream (sepsis) or infection around the brain (meningitis). Things you can do at home A child who has a febrile convulsion has no more If you witness your child having a seizure, you should chance of having a serious infection than any other apply basic principles of first aid. child with a fever. ■ First ensure that your child is safe (e.g. away from the edge of a bed and away from sharp or danger- Signs and symptoms ous objects that could injure them) Parents usually observe in the child: ■ ■ Roll your child onto their side when the seizure »body stiffening is over »sharp jerking movements of their arms and legs ■ Call for an ambulance (000) if the seizure lasts »head arched back more than 5 minutes » eyes rolled back ■ If your child is not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth ■ The child is unresponsive during the convulsion resuscitation ■ Typically convulsions last for less than 15 minutes ■ consider doing a first aid course (on average around 90 seconds). The child is usually drowsy afterwards Will your child have another convulsion? Studies have shown: Important facts about febrile convulsions ■ Around 1 in 3 children (33 per cent) who have a ■ 1 in 25 children (4 per cent) will experience febrile convulsion will go on to have a second one. a febrile convulsion at some time, usually This is most likely to occur between the age of 12 before 5 years of age and 24 months. ■ 1 in 3 children who have a febrile convulsion ■ Around 1 in 15 children (7 per cent) who have a will have a second one febrile convulsion will have three or more febrile ■ Febrile convulsions are caused by a rapid convulsions. change in body temperature associated with ■ Most children will outgrow the tendency to have infection febrile convulsions by the age of 4 years. ■ Febrile convulsions do not cause any ■ Febrile convulsions do not mean your child will damage to children’s brains or affect their go on to have epilepsy (recurrent seizures in the development absence of fever). ■ If you witness a febrile convulsion, you should ensure the child’s safety and call Preventing febrile convulsions an ambulance (000) It is not always possible to take steps to prevent ■ A child who has a febrile convulsion has no febrile convulsions as often they are the first sign of more chance of having a serious infection illness. than any other child with a fever Some tips to manage a fever: ■ Children’s paracetamol (Panadol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen) may help reduce temperature and make them feel a little better (this has not been shown to Contact us prevent febrile seizures) Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital ■ Avoid overdressing your child 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane t 07 3068 1111 (hospital switchboard) ■ Avoid cold bathes that may cool your child too In an emergency, always contact 000 for immediate assistance. rapidly FS012 developed by the Emergency Department, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. In most cases antiseizure medications are not Updated: June 2o15. recommended as they have significant side-effects All information contained in this sheet has been supplied by qualified and offer little reduction in the rate of febrile seizure professionals as a guideline for care only. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, recurrence. Your doctor will be able to advise you for concerns regarding your child’s health. about this.

501 Stanley Street w www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au South Brisbane QLD 4101 T: 07 3068 1111 (switch) www.facebook.com/childrenshealthqld