Here’s What Parents Need to Know About Febrile Seizures
Earlier this year, I took my 14-month-old son, Ezra, to a local emergency clinic where I received confirmation of an ear infection. It made sense, judging by his fever, but as we drove home, I thought he looked … disoriented. I tried to get rid of it – I was still a young mother, probably overreacting.
After we got home, I put Ezra to bed for a nap and began sorting through work emails at the kitchen table. When he woke up, he seemed less irritable than before, although he was still hot to the touch. We sat on the couch, had a snack and watched a movie. Maybe after five minutes I felt him flinch – such a frightened movement happens when you are on the verge of sleep.
Then it happened again. And again. And again.
In confusion, I pulled him off my knees to look at his face, and a wave of fear and panic went through me. He constantly shuddered from the ash color, glazed eyes and twisted body. I got up, gently hugging his tiny body, and called the emergency services. I have never seen seizures in real life, especially with a small child. Especially my child.
I went into total parental panic, where you act like you have everything under control on the outside, but completely fall apart on the inside. An ambulance arrived shortly after, and although the ambulance ride was unclear, his medical team at the Children’s Hospital assured me that he would be fine. It was a febrile seizure — a seizure associated with a spike in body temperature — relatively harmless, although it was the most frightening few minutes of my life.
Two to five percent of American children will experience a fever attack before the age of F Ive . Here’s what all parents need to know about them.
They are caused by high temperatures
Febrile seizures are triggered by a fever of 100.4 or higher, especially when there is a rapid spike, according to Dr. Ashanti W. Woods, a pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
Symptoms and timing vary, but they mostly affect toddlers
Most febrile seizures are characterized by twitching, seizures, eye rolling, stiffness, and loss of consciousness. Other symptoms to look out for are general insensitivity, urination, vomiting, and lethargy. Those that last more than 15 minutes or when only one side of the body is affected are called complex febrile seizures.
Young children between six months and six years of age are most susceptible, and the duration of a seizure can vary. “These episodes are usually seconds, but sometimes up to 2-3 minutes,” says Dr. Jarrett Patton , a Pennsylvania pediatrician. “They usually occur in a child under 6 years of age and over 6 months of age, but the average age is around 18 months.”
If it happens once, it could happen again
One of the most annoying elements of febrile seizures? A third of the children who have them will have one more, and as a parent there is little you can do about it. Age also matters: the younger the child, the higher the chances of a second seizure similar to him.
Your child will (very likely) be fine
“As scary as it is for parents, most of them are harmless and go away without treatment,” said Dr. Alison Mitsner, a pediatrician in New York. “Your pediatrician may discuss fever medications such as Tylenol or Motrin, and additional treatments may be added depending on your child’s age or the number of febrile seizures.”
Treatment is usually based on observation and seeks to find and treat the source of the fever, which is often viral. “If your child has a febrile seizure, it is likely that he will never have another seizure again,” says Dr. Patton. “This does not mean that they will develop epilepsy. However, if they have had multiple seizures with fever, this may indicate an underlying seizure disorder. “
Here’s what to do during a febrile seizure:
- Remain as calm as possible.
- Remove any existing hazards such as falling objects, unstable surfaces, blankets, or suffocation.
- Place the child in a safe position without any restrictions, such as roll to one side on a firm, level surface. Don’t worry about trying to “chill” your baby, as this will not necessarily affect the temperature. Focus on safety first and let the seizure take its course.
- Note at what time the seizure starts and ends. For any seizure that lasts less than 3 minutes, make sure your child sees a doctor on the same day. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, call 911 immediately.
- Pay attention to the details: did he pass out? Threw up? Make noise? A seizure description is the most helpful thing you can do to help your doctor make a correct diagnosis.
After a febrile attack, most children are drowsy and low on energy, but they return to normal activity and energy levels within a day or two. Even though you may be anxious every time your child has a fever, you will at least be ready to deal with a febrile seizure if it does, and you can rest assured that he will be okay.