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Even though they are frightening, febrile convulsions are not uncommon in young children. When these abrupt seizures brought on by fever occur, parents frequently struggle with fear and confusion. Our blog aims to shed light on febrile convulsions, their causes, and—above all—manage and care for a child who is having such a condition.
Definition
A sharp rise in body temperature, usually brought on by an infection like an ear infection, can cause febrile fits in young children. The children aged six months to five years are the most commonly affected.
Triggers
A sudden rise in body temperature, typically brought on by common childhood illnesses like respiratory or ear infections, is the main cause of febrile convulsions.A family member's history of febrile seizures may increase a child's risk of developing them genetically.
Types of febrile convulsions
1. Simple febrile seizures: These generalised seizures affect the entire body and usually last less than five minutes.
2. Complex febrile seizures: These seizures, which frequently involve just one body part and last longer than five minutes, are more likely to recur.
Symptoms
A kid may go through the following during a febrile convulsion:
consciousness loss
convulsive movements
limbs stiffness or jerking
Rolling of the eyes
frothing coming out of the mouth and urine incontinence
Investigations
When a child exhibits febrile convulsions, medical professionals may carry out a number of investigations to ascertain the underlying cause and evaluate the child's general condition. It's crucial to remember that individual cases and clinical judgement may influence the specific investigations. Typical investigations that could be carried out include the following:
initially, they will take the full detailed history abut the event and through physical examination of the child will tell them which investigations to carry out in that particular case.Complete blood count tocheck for signs of infection, such as an elevated white blood cell count. A marker of inflammation such as C-reactive protein that can be elevated in the presence of infection.Urinanalysis can be done to screen for urinary tract infections, which can sometimes be associated with febrile convulsions.
In cases where meningitis is suspected, a lumbar puncture may be performed to analyze cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection.
If the febrile convulsion is atypical or if there are focal neurological signs, imaging studies such as CT scanning may be conducted to rule out structural abnormalities or other issues. An EEG may be performed to assess the electrical activity of the brain. This can help in identifying any abnormal patterns or epileptic foci in brain .To rule out hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia as potential causes of seizures, serum blood sugar levels can be measured.Imbalances in electrolytes can contribute to seizures, and blood tests may be done to assess these levels.
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| EEG |
It is crucial to stress that not every child experiencing febrile convulsions will be subjected to all of these examinations. The selection of tests is contingent upon the specific case, the clinical presentation, and the evaluation made by the healthcare provider. These studies seek to determine any underlying causes of febrile convulsions, treat them, and provide guidance for the best course of treatment. For tailored guidance and recommendations based on the unique circumstances of the child, always seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
Management
In order to effectively support others, parents and carers must remain calm. Ensure safety to avoid harm, move any objects that are close to the patient.It is very important to keep track of how long the seizure lasts; if it lasts longer than five minutes, get emergency medical help and call for an ambulance as soon as you can. Make sure that child should not have anything to eat in their mouth as it can prove fatal for their health. Take antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen as directed by your physician. In certain situations, an epileptic physician may recommend antiepileptic drugs to stop seizures in the future.
Drink plenty of water to keep the child hydrated, especially if they have a fever.
When to Get Medical Help
Even though febrile convulsions are usually not dangerous, you should get medical help if:
More than five minutes pass during the seizure.
Following the seizure, the child has trouble breathing.
Not long after the first seizure, there is another one.
Effect on the quality of life
Comprehending the psychological impact on parents and other carers is essential. In order to reduce anxiety and enable carers to give their child the best care possible, seeking support and information about febrile convulsions can be helpful.
Recall that educating yourself is the first step towards giving your child the support and attention they require during these challenging moments.
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