Overview
Febrile seizures occur in young, healthy children who have normal development and haven't had any neurological symptoms before. Fortunately, they typically don't indicate a serious health problem. You can help by keeping your child safe during a seizure and offering comfort afterward.
Symptoms
A child having a febrile seizure usually shakes all over and loses consciousness. Other signs include:
- A fever higher than 100.4 F (38.0 C)
- Loss of consciousness
- Shaking or jerking of the arms and legs
- Stiffness or twitching in one area of the body
Simple Febrile Seizures
The most common type. Lasts from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Does not recur within 24 hours and affects the whole body.
Complex Febrile Seizures
Lasts longer than 15 minutes, occurs more than once within 24 hours, or is confined to one side of the body.
🚨 When to Seek Emergency Care
Call an ambulance if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or is accompanied by:
- Vomiting or Stiff neck
- Breathing problems
- Extreme sleepiness
Causes & Risk Factors
Infections
Often triggered by viral infections like the flu or Roseola. Less commonly caused by bacterial infections.
Vaccinations
A low-grade fever after MMR or DTaP vaccines can trigger a seizure. Note: The fever causes the seizure, not the vaccine itself.
Risk Factors: Most common in children between 6 months and 5 years (peak risk at 12-18 months). Family history also plays a significant role.
Complications
Simple febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, intellectual disability, or learning disabilities. They are not the same as epilepsy (recurrent unprovoked seizures).
Recurrent Febrile Seizures
Risk of recurrence is higher if the child was younger than 18 months during the first seizure or if a family member has a history of the condition.
Prevention & Management
Medications: While Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) can make a child comfortable, they will not prevent a seizure. Warning: Never give aspirin to children recovering from flu-like symptoms due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Prescription: For children prone to long seizures, doctors might prescribe rectal diazepam or nasal midazolam for use during emergencies lasting more than five minutes.
Note from Tellus Medicus
It can be frightening, but remember most febrile seizures have no lasting effects. Always call your doctor to have your child evaluated as soon as possible after any seizure episode.