Overview
Febrile seizures are a type of seizure that occurs in young children, typically between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, in response to a sudden spike in body temperature, often due to fever from an illness or infection. These seizures are usually brief, lasting for a few minutes, and typically involve muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, and sometimes brief convulsions. Febrile seizures can be alarming but are usually not harmful and rarely lead to epilepsy or long-term complications.
Suppose the symptoms last more than 15 to 20 minutes and happen multiple times daily. In that case, the parents immediately need to contact a doctor to get to the root cause of the situation and begin the medication at the earliest possible time.
Causes of Febrile Seizures
Mentioned below are a few causes of mental issues that help understand the disorder better:
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- High Fever
- Family history of the disease
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Pneumonia
Symptoms of Febrile Seizures
Mentioned below are a few febrile seizure symptoms that help to identify the disorder and allow the parents to make the right decision:
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- Twitching of arms and legs
- High fever
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
Tips for Parents to Handle Febrile Seizures
A seizure is an activity that happens when electrical signals in the brain spark suddenly. These seizures are divided into different forms depending upon the brain section affected by the seizure attack. Febrile seizures may not just be panicking for the child but also for the parents as well.
The condition may disturb the child and parent; staying calm and relaxed is advised. Mentioned below are a few treatment and management options that help to deal with the symptoms of the mental disorder:
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- Medications– Medicines to lower the seizure attack are a rare option. Most of the time, once the symptoms are dense, one only needs medicine to cure such seizures. If a child faces seizures repetitively in a day within a time gap of less than a few minutes, one may need medicines to calm down. Medications such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, diazepam, midazolam, and diazepam help to calm down a child and also help to lower the body temperature, which is a significant cause of the disease.
- Avoid Dehydration- Keeping the child hydrated should be a prime tip to heal the symptoms. Dehydration may trigger a seizure attack and make the child uncomfortable. Feeding the child with water and other liquids is advised to keep the child hydrated.
- Stay Calm– A seizure attack affecting a child is not a regular or comfortable sight for any parent. In such situations, parents must stay calm and patiently handle the child. A child may feel agitated or irritated due to the seizure attack, but staying calm in those panicking minutes helps to handle the situation. Staying calm also helps to keep the frustration down and allows one to deal with the agitation smoothly.
- Lay the child on the Floor– Another suggestive tip to be followed by parents under such conditions is laying the child on the floor. It helps keep the child away from any injury during the seizure attack. Placing the child on a sofa or a bed can increase the chance of falling on the floor and hurting himself. It is advised to keep the child on the floor and keep all the objects away from the child that can be harmful.
- Place the child in the Rescue Position– Under such scenarios, it is advised for the parents to keep the child in a rescue position. The child should be placed on the left side with the left arm stretching outwards to keep the head elevated. It helps the vomit or any other fluid in the mouth go back into the lungs, which can cause choking. The position also helps keep a child calm and allows one to relax independently after a few minutes. If the child cannot calm down even after 15 to 20 minutes, it is advisable to consult a doctor for immediate and required treatment.
- Monitor Breathing: Keep a close eye on your child’s breathing. Call emergency services immediately if breathing difficulties occur or the seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- Do Not Put Anything in the Mouth: Never attempt to put anything, including your fingers or objects, into your child’s mouth during a seizure. This can cause injury.
- Comfort Afterwards: Once the seizure ends, gently reassure your child. They may be disoriented and frightened.
- Cooling Measures: To help reduce the fever, you can undress your child and offer a tepid bath. Avoid cold water, as it can cause shivering and worsen the fever.
- Stay Well-Informed– ‘Half knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge’ is a well-suited quote in such situations. If parents find such mental issues affecting the child, they should immediately consult a doctor for proper education about the disorder. It helps the parents to manage themselves and the child properly and helps to lower the seizure attacks.
When to Consult a Doctor
Timely medical intervention can help cure many of these ailments or help in managing them. You can also get in touch with the expert Neurology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support to treat brain conditions, neurological disorders or any other health concern.
Conclusion
Febrile seizures are seizures that occur in young children, typically between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, as a result of a sudden spike in body temperature, often due to fever from an illness or infection. Staying calm in such situations is the first advice to be followed by the child and parents to handle the situation effectively.
FAQs
Q. What are febrile seizures?
A. A seizure attack experienced by a child leading to mental and physical discomfort is known as a febrile seizure attack.
Q. What are the symptoms of febrile seizures?
A. High fever, vomiting, foam at the tip of lips, rolling out of eyes, twitching of hands and legs, and other similar health issues are some of the symptoms of febrile seizures.
Q. What are the tips that parents need to know when understanding febrile seizures?
- Febrile seizures are typically associated with a sudden high fever in young children.
- They are more common between 6 months and 6 years.
- Febrile seizures are usually brief, lasting a few minutes.
- Symptoms can include muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, and brief convulsions.
- Keep the child safe during the seizure by placing them on their side on a soft surface to prevent choking.
- Do not restrain the child’s movements or put anything in their mouth during the seizure.
- Monitor breathing and call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- After the seizure, comfort the child and seek medical evaluation to determine the cause of the fever.
- Maintain a record of the seizure for medical evaluation and treatment guidance.
- Consult a healthcare provider for guidance on managing fever and febrile seizures in your child.
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