Febrile Seizures Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prevention

A frequent pediatric emergency in newborns and toddlers is febrile convulsions. There are approximately 2-5% of cases.

Even though febrile seizures are primarily benign and self-limiting, parents may find them unsettling. It is hardly unexpected given their potential to result in substantial morbidity and, in rare instances, even fatality. And happily, both adults and children can get treatment for febrile seizures.

Knowing more about febrile seizures will make it easier for you to treat your child if they experience one. The causes, symptoms, and treatment of febrile seizures will all be covered in this blog post. We’ll also look at management options for febrile seizures.

You can speak with a physician at Lone Star Neurology for further details. Patients with febrile seizures and other neurological problems receive thorough care from us.

How to Diagnosis a Febrile Seizure

The first step in diagnosing febrile seizures is to rule out any other probable causes of attacks. Children with febrile seizures often range in age from six months to five years (generally up to about three years). According to some research, boys are more prone than girls to have these seizures. Before beginning therapy, you should check with the doctor to see if your child is having a febrile seizure. It is unlikely to be a febrile seizure if your child suffers a seizure after age five.

Here is an example list of symptoms to consider if you want to evaluate whether your child is experiencing a febrile seizure.

• Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or higher.
• Fever lasting less than 24 hours.
• A seizure lasts less than 15 minutes.
• Body stiffness or throwing movements.
• Loss of consciousness or awareness during a seizure.
• Unusual behaviour after a seizure, such as drowsiness or confusion.
• In rare cases, nausea and vomiting may occur.

Most children with febrile seizures recover wholly and quickly without any lasting effects. But in any case, management of febrile seizures is necessary to avoid recurrence.

If your child has had a febrile seizure, your doctor will likely order tests to rule out other causes of the fever. These tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, and chest X-ray. Sometimes, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may be needed to rule out meningitis.

If your child has a family history of seizures or neurological disease, there may be a higher chance of non-febrile seizures. Your child’s doctor will take a detailed medical history and do a physical exam to rule out other causes of seizures.

Febrile Seizure Treatment

Most febrile seizures are short-lived and do not need to be treated. The child typically sleeps briefly after having a seizure and bounces back fast. However, medical attention may be required if your kid experiences more than one seizure or the episode lasts more than 15 minutes.

If your kid experiences a febrile seizure, you ought to follow these steps:

When you Need to See a Doctor

In most cases, febrile seizures do not require medical treatment. However, if your child has a high fever and is less than 12 months old, or if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, you should take your child to the hospital for necessary management of febrile seizures.

Your child will be given oxygen and closely monitored. If the child has a fever, he will be treated with medication. The doctor will likely perform a physical exam and order tests, such as blood and urine tests, to rule out other causes of the fever if it occurs.

How to Prevent Febrile Seizures

Do you or your child have febrile seizures? Are you afraid they will recur and are looking for ways to prevent febrile seizures? Alas, there is no reliable way to prevent febrile seizures. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your child’s risk of having seizures. For example:

• Make sure your child has all the necessary vaccinations. It will help reduce the risk of infections that can lead to fever and febrile seizures.
• If your child has a family history of febrile seizures, be sure to tell your doctor. They can prescribe febrile seizure treatments that will help reduce their risk.
• Do not give your child over-the-counter medication to reduce fever unless directed by a doctor. In some cases, this can increase the risk of seizures.
• Monitor your child’s temperature regularly when they are sick. It will help you catch a fever early and treat it before it gets too high and leads to a seizure.

If your child has a febrile seizure, follow all the instructions given to you by the doctor. It will help ensure that your child gets the best possible care and treatment.

So as you can see, there is no need to worry if your child has a febrile seizure. In most cases, they are harmless and do not require any treatment. However, if your child has a high fever or the seizure lasts more than five minutes, you should take them to the hospital to manage febrile seizures. You can also do things to reduce your child’s risk of seizures. If you have any questions or concerns, speak with your doctor.

FAQs 

• Do febrile seizures cause permanent effects?

No, febrile seizures do not cause any permanent effects. In most cases, they are harmless and do not require any treatment. However, if your child has a high fever or the seizure lasts more than five minutes, you should take them to the hospital to manage febrile seizures.

• What is the drug of choice for febrile seizures?

There is no one drug of choice for febrile seizures. The type of medication used will depend on the severity of the seizure and the child’s age and medical history. In most cases, anti-seizure medication is not necessary.

• Can febrile seizures be avoided?

There is no reliable way to prevent febrile seizures. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your child’s risk of having seizures. For example:

Make sure your child has all the necessary vaccinations. It will help reduce the risk of infections that can lead to fever and febrile seizures.

• At what temp do febrile seizures occur?

No one temperature will cause a febrile seizure. Seizures can occur when the body temperature rises or falls. A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) or higher is more likely to cause a seizure.

• How do you treat febrile seizures at home?

There is no specific treatment for febrile seizures at home. However, it is essential to keep the child safe during the seizure. Clear the area around the child of hard or sharp objects, and do not try to stop the seizure by holding the child. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, call 911 or your local emergency number.