Related concepts:

Febrile convulsions

Introduction to febrile seizure:

The first febrile seizure is usually one of life's most frightening moments for parents. Most parents are afraid that their child will die or have brain damage. Thankfully, simple febrile seizures are harmless.

There is no evidence that febrile seizures cause death, brain damage, epilepsy, mental retardation, a decrease in IQ, or learning difficulties.

In fact, some evidence suggests that children who have had febrile seizures end up brighter than their peers, on average!

What is febrile seizure?

Some children have seizures or convulsions when they have fevers.

Febrile seizures are brought on by the sudden stimulation of many brain cells at once. Experts argue over whether febrile seizures are triggered by the height of the fever or by the rate of rise. I suspect that both play a role. Most febrile seizures occur well within the first 24 hours of an illness, not necessarily when the fever is highest. The seizure is often the first sign of a fever.

Who gets febrile seizure?

Febrile seizures occur in 3 to 5 percent of otherwise healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. Toddlers are the most commonly affected. Most febrile seizures are triggered by a fever over 103 F.

Sometimes febrile seizures run in families.

Although febrile seizures are common, many parents have never seen one until it happens to their child.

Most febrile seizures are brought on by fevers arising from viral upper respiratory infections, ear infections, or roseola. Meningitis causes less than 0.1 percent of febrile seizures but should always be considered, especially in children less than one year old or those who still look ill when the fever drops.

What are the symptoms of febrile seizure?

A febrile seizure may be as mild as rolling of the eyes or stiffening of the limbs. Quite often a fever triggers a full-blown convulsion that involves the whole body.

These seizures may begin with the sudden sustained contraction of muscles on both sides of a child's body -- usually the muscles of the face, trunk, arms, and legs. A haunting, involuntary cry or moan often emerges from the child, from the force of the muscle contraction. The contraction continues for seemingly endless seconds, or tens of seconds. The child will fall, if standing, and may pass urine. He may vomit. He may bite his tongue. The child will not be breathing, and may begin to turn blue. Finally, the sustained contraction is broken by repeated brief moments of relaxation -- the child's body begins to jerk rhythmically. The child is unresponsive to the parent's screams.

Is febrile seizure contagious?

Febrile seizures are not contagious, although the infections causing the high fevers are often contagious.