Seizures in Young Children – Fever Convulsions

A fever convulsion is a fit or seizure.  It is caused by a sudden change in your child’s body temperature and is usually associated with a fever (a temperature above 38°C). A high temperature is a sign of infection somewhere in the body and is often caused by a virus or bacteria. A high fever does not necessarily mean your child has a serious illness. Fever is not known to cause damage to the brain or other organs.

Most children with fever suffer only minor discomfort; however one child in 30 may have a convulsion at one time or another. This usually happens between the ages of six months and six years. Fever convulsions are not harmful to your child and do not cause brain damage.

Most children who have a convulsion will only ever have just one. Some children will have one or more seizures, usually during illnesses which cause a fever. There is no increased risk of epilepsy in children who have had fever convulsions.

Signs and Symptoms

During a fever convulsion:

  • Your child will usually lose consciousness.
  • Their muscles may stiffen or jerk.
  • Your child may go red or blue in the face.
  • The convulsion may last for several minutes.

When the movements stop, your child will regain consciousness but will probably remain sleepy or irritated afterwards.

Treatment during a Convulsion

There is nothing you can do to make the convulsion stop.

  • The most important thing is to stay calm – don’t panic.
  • Place your child on a soft surface, lying on his or her side or back.
  • Do not restrain your child.
  • Do not put anything in their mouth, including your fingers.Your child will not choke or swallow their tongue.
  • Try to watch exactly what happens, so that you can describe it to the doctor later.
  • Time how long the convulsion lasts.
  • Do not put a child who is having a convulsion in the bath.

Call an Ambulance if

  • The convulsion lasts more than five minutes.
  • Your child does not wake up when the convulsion stops.
  • If your child looks very sick when the convulsion stops.

If the convulsion stops in less than five minutes:

  • You should see your family doctor as soon as possible.
  • If your child was very unwell before the convulsion then you should take them to see a doctor immediately.

It may be okay to take the child in your own car but only do this if there are two adults, one to drive and one to look after the child.

Fever Care

Since a fever is the body’s natural response to infection, it is not always necessary to reduce a fever. Treatment of a fever with paracetamol does not prevent a febrile convulsion.

Care after the Convulsion

  • Occasionally, children who have long convulsions need to be watched in hospital for a while afterwards. This is usually to work out the cause of the fever and watch the course of your child’s illness.
  • Your child may be a little cranky for a day or so, but this will pass.
  • Resume your usual routines.
  • Put your child to sleep at the usual time, in his or her own bed. Don’t worry about whether you will hear a convulsion; a bed or cot is a safe place for a convulsion.

Follow up

  • Most children who have fever convulsions do not have any long term health problems. They are normally healthy and grow out of them by the age of six.
  • If your child has repeated long convulsions it may be of benefit to visit a paediatrician (specialist children’s doctor).

 

Key points to remember

  • One in 30 children has a fever convulsion at one time or another, usually between the ages of six months and six years.
  • Nothing can be done to prevent the convulsion from occurring; remain calm and try not to panic.
  • Putting a child in a bath (to lower their temperature) during a convulsion is dangerous.
  • Fever convulsions will not cause brain damage. Even very long convulsions lasting an hour or more almost never cause harm.
  • If the convulsion lasts more than five minutes call an ambulance;otherwise, make an appointment with your paediatrician.
  • If you are worried for any other reason, see your paediatrician.