A febrile seizure is a fit caused by fever in a young child, usually between 6 months and 5 years old. It often happens on the first day of a fever, when the temperature rises quickly. It is frightening to watch, but most febrile seizures last less than 5 minutes, stop by themselves and do not cause brain damage or epilepsy. The cause of the fever must still be checked by a doctor, because it can sometimes be a serious infection such as meningitis.
Symptoms
Sudden loss of consciousness in a child with fever
Stiffening of the body, then jerking of the arms and legs
Eyes rolling back
Foaming or drooling from the mouth
Breathing may look irregular, and the lips may look blue for a short time
Sleepiness or confusion for up to an hour afterwards
Causes
A fast rise in body temperature in a young child
Common infections: colds, flu, ear infections, roseola, chest or urine infections
Sometimes fever after a vaccination
It runs in families
Rarely a serious infection of the brain or its lining (meningitis)
Prevention
Febrile seizures cannot always be prevented, even by giving fever medicine
Keep the child comfortable with light clothing and plenty of fluids during a fever
Paracetamol or ibuprofen for a child who is uncomfortable with fever, in the right dose
Breathing difficulty or blue lips that do not improve
In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or clinic straight away.
Talk to a doctor
Get advice by video, voice or chat without leaving home.
Vaccinate on time to prevent many serious infections
Learn first aid for seizures if your child has had one
Treatment
Stay calm, note the time, and lay the child on their side on a soft surface
Move hard or sharp objects away; loosen tight clothing
Do not put anything in the mouth, do not hold the child down, and do not put the child in cold water
After the jerking stops, keep the child on their side until fully awake
Take the child to a health facility to find the cause of the fever
A fit lasting more than 5 minutes needs emergency treatment
Common questions
Will my child get epilepsy?
Most children who have febrile seizures do not develop epilepsy. The risk is only slightly higher than in other children, mainly if the seizures are long, affect one side, or the child has other developmental problems.
Will it happen again?
About 1 in 3 children who have one febrile seizure will have another with a later fever, usually within the next year or two. They become rare after age 5.
