Febrile Seizures In Children: What Parents Need To Know
Seeing your child have a seizure can be one of the most frightening experiences you can face as a parent. These medical emergencies often happen suddenly, without warning and can potentially leave you feeling helpless and unsure of what to do next. Research suggests that one of the most common seizure-related emergencies in young children is a febrile seizure.
This is a convulsion triggered by fever, usually in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Although febrile seizures are often not life-threatening, they can look severe and should always be taken seriously. Read on to learn more about what you need to know if your child experiences a febrile seizure emergency.
What is a Febrile Seizure?
A febrile seizure occurs when a child’s body temperature rises rapidly, often due to an infection or illness. These seizures are linked to fever rather than an underlying neurological condition. Common illnesses that may trigger a fever include flu, ear infections, colds, tonsillitis and other viral or bacterial infections.
Febrile seizures are most common in:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years.
- Children with a family history of febrile seizures.
- Children experiencing rapid temperature increases.
What a Febrile Seizure Looks Like
Most febrile seizures last less than five minutes, although even a short seizure can feel much longer for a parent witnessing it. However, it’s important not to panic, as after the seizure, the child may seem sleepy, confused, or tired. It’s common for a child to experience the following during a febrile seizure:
- Lose consciousness.
- Stiffen or jerk uncontrollably.
- Roll their eyes upward.
- Shake their arms and legs.
- Become unresponsive.
- Breathe irregularly for a short period.
Why Febrile Seizures Happen
The exact cause of febrile seizures is not always clear, but they are often linked to how quickly a child’s temperature rises rather than how high the fever becomes. Moreover, some children are more prone to these medical emergencies due to certain risk factors. These risk factors might include:
- A family history of febrile seizures.
- A history of seizures in the child.
- High fevers caused by infections.
- Rapid changes in body temperature.
What To Do During a Febrile Seizure
Although it is natural to panic, staying calm is one of the most important things you can do. Your actions can help keep your child safe while the seizure passes. For instance, turning the child onto their side can help keep their airway clear and reduce the risk of choking.
Other helpful tips to consider if your child is having a febrile seizure include:
- Placing them on the floor or a flat surface.
- Turning them onto their side if possible.
- Removing nearby objects that could cause injury.
- Loosening tight clothing around the neck.
- Staying with them and monitoring the length of the seizure.
What Not to Do
It’s important to note that during these seizures, some well-meaning actions can actually make the situation more dangerous. Most importantly, contrary to popular belief, children cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure. To ensure they are safe and to prevent safety risks, you should not:
- Hold the child down.
- Put anything in their mouth.
- Try to force food, water or medication into their mouth.
- Shake them or try to stop the movements.
When to Call for Emergency Help
While many febrile seizures stop on their own, there are situations where urgent medical help is necessary. It’s always advisable to seek immediate emergency assistance when you’re unsure of what to do. Use your Affinity Rescue plan to call for emergency assistance if:
- The seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- Your child has difficulty breathing.
- The seizure happens more than once in a short period.
- Your child does not wake up or respond after the seizure.
- The child has signs of serious illness such as severe lethargy, neck stiffness or vomiting.
- The seizure occurs in a child younger than six months.
Can Febrile Seizures be Prevented?
While not all febrile seizures can be prevented, managing fevers early may reduce the risk in some children. If your child has experienced this type of seizure before, you should be especially alert when they develop a fever. Other helpful tips include monitoring your child closely when they are unwell, storing fever-reducing medication at home or when travelling and observing warning signs that indicate a fever is rising quickly.
The Importance of Fast Emergency Response
While many febrile seizures are short and uncomplicated, some children may require urgent medical support. Fast emergency response through your Affinity Rescue plan is especially important if the seizure lasts longer than expected or if the child has difficulty breathing. Having immediate access to medical emergency services nationwide can provide reassurance and ensure the child receives the care they need.
Emergency medical responders can:
- Assess the child’s condition.
- Provide oxygen if needed.
- Monitor vital signs.
- Transport the child safely to a medical facility.
Febrile seizures can be frightening, especially when they happen for the first time, and you don’t know what to do. However, understanding what they are, how to respond safely and when to seek emergency help can make a difficult situation feel more manageable. When it comes to emergencies involving children, the Affinity Rescue Family Benefit ensures you have 24/7, rapid access to professional medical support for lifesaving interventions.