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Febrile seizures in children
What are febrile seizures?
Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make you pass out, or move or behave strangely. “Febrile” means that the seizure is caused by a fever. Febrile seizures occur in children ages 6 months to 5 years old. They often run in families.
How do I know if my child has a fever?
To find out if your child has a fever, take their temperature. The most accurate way is to take a rectal temperature. But you can also take a temperature by mouth, armpit, ear, or forehead if needed. A temperature higher than 38°C is a fever
What are the symptoms of a febrile seizure?
During a febrile seizure, the child usually passes out and has jerking movements of the arms, legs, or face. Sometimes the child may appear to stare into space or just become stiff. Most febrile seizures last less than 5 minutes. After a seizure, the child might be confused or sleepy for a short time.
Although not as common, some febrile seizures last more than 15 minutes. After a longer seizure, a child can have short-term weakness in their arm or leg
How can I help my child during a seizure?
During a seizure, you should:
● Put your child on their side.
● Do not put anything in your child’s mouth or try to stop the jerking movements. Keep track of how long the seizure lasts – If it lasts more than 5 minutes, call for an ambulance