FEBRILE SEIZURES

Overview and Facts

Febrile seizures are convulsions that occur in children under three years of age and most common from 12 to 18 months of age. These convulsions are caused by a very high fever (about 100.4°F / 38°C or higher) that happens rapidly. The temperature may result from infection, other illnesses, or after the child had taken immunizations such as diphtheria, tetanus, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations. The spike in body temperature has been established as a factor that triggers febrile seizures. Please take note that it is not because of the mentioned causes but the fever that results.

Seizures, in general, are frightening, especially for the parents of the child. Fortunately, febrile seizures don’t pose a severe health problem and are usually not dangerous.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

There are three types of febrile seizures:

Simple Febrile Seizure. This is the most common type of febrile seizure. It lasts from only a few seconds up to about 15 minutes. The seizures are not specific to a single body part. There are no recurrences within 24 hours.
Complex Febrile Seizure. This type is the more extended type. It lasts longer than 15 minutes. The seizures are limited to one side of the body. It also occurs more than once a day.
Recurrent Febrile Seizure. This type of seizure affects children under 15 months of age. This happens when a simple or complex febrile seizure occurs repeatedly.

SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms that a child may have febrile seizures include:

High fever
Loss of consciousness
Shaking or jerking of the limbs
Convulsions
Temporary arm or leg weakness (no weakness for simple type)
Tiredness after seizure

For a recurrent febrile seizure, the fever may occur frequently and may not be as high as compared to the temperature from the first seizure.

Take note that febrile seizures often occur within 24-hours of the start of a fever.

Diagnosis & Medications