Types of Seizures: Febrile Seizures In Children

One type of seizure can occur while a young child or infant is running a fever. Referred to as a febrile seizure, it is estimated that one out of 20 to 50 children and infants will experience one of these types of seizures during their childhood. Although febrile seizures may run in some families, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a child will have one every time he or she runs a fever. However, an infection with a fever greater than 100.4 F (rectal temperature) may place your child at a greater risk.

Although febrile seizures can occur at any point in childhood, they usually occur in children between six months and five years of age.

Why Do Febrile Seizures Occur?

It's not known why febrile seizures occur, although many suggestions have been proposed.

It is thought that high temperatures can have an effect on the function of nerve cells in the brain. Another theory is that a fever may cause certain chemicals to be released in the brain and body. A fever may also cause certain chemicals to be released in the brain, which may contribute to a seizure.

Many types of infections, such as human herpes virus 6, can also generate febrile seizures. Although these processes are present in both adults and in children, it is thought that brains of young children and babies are especially vulnerable to these changes.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Having a Febrile Seizure?

Febrile seizures will typically occur within 24 hours of a spike in fever. The following symptoms are things you should look for in your child:

• Loss of consciousness
• Rigidity and/or shaking of the entire body, or just one area of the body (such as a leg or arm)
• Eyes rolling back in the head
• Difficulty breathing
• Restlessness
• Vomiting
• Loss of bladder control

A febrile seizure can last anywhere between less than a minute to more than 10 minutes.

What Should I Do If My Child Has a Febrile Seizure?

If you witness your child having a seizure, you should clear his surroundings so that he does not injure himself during the seizure. Do not attempt to restrain your child or place something in his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue, since this may cause more harm than good.

Once the seizure has ended, take your child to the nearest emergency facility for a checkup. There, the physician can observe the child and determine the source of the seizure (fever, infection, etc.) Additionally, the physician will determine what treatment, if any, is necessary.

If the seizure does not stop after 5 minutes, call 911. In addition, if a child has known recurrent febrile seizures, parents can develop a plan with the child's physician that outlines what to do in the case of a seizure.

Will My Child Have Another Febrile Seizure?

In most cases, no. However, if febrile seizures run in the family, there is a small chance that a febrile seizure may occur again.

_Source:

Dube CM, Brewster AL, Richichi C, et al. Fever, febrile seizures and epilepsy. Trends in Neuroscience 2007; 30:490-496.