Febrile Seizure

Febrile seizure is a convulsion that occurs in young children in association with a fever, usually caused by an infection outside the brain. These seizures most commonly affect children between 6 months and 5 years of age and are not related to epilepsy or underlying neurological disorders.

Although febrile seizures can be frightening for parents and caregivers, most are harmless and do not cause long-term health problems. They typically occur during the early phase of a fever when body temperature rises rapidly.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a febrile seizure usually appear suddenly and may include:

• Loss of consciousness

• Jerking or stiffening of the arms and legs

• Rolling of the eyes

• Shallow or irregular breathing during the seizure

• Skin color changes, such as paleness or bluish lips

• Sleepiness or confusion after the seizure ends

Most febrile seizures last less than a few minutes and stop on their own.

Causes

Febrile seizures are triggered by a rapid increase in body temperature rather than the fever itself. Common causes of fever associated with these seizures include viral or bacterial infections.

In some cases, febrile seizures may occur after routine childhood vaccinations that cause a temporary fever. The seizures are not caused by brain infections, though serious conditions must be ruled out by a healthcare provider.

Risk Factors

Several factors increase the risk of febrile seizures, including:

• Age between 6 months and 5 years

• Family history of febrile seizures

• High fever or rapid rise in temperature

• Viral infections, especially those causing high fever

• Developmental delays in some cases

Children with one febrile seizure have a higher chance of experiencing another during future fevers.

Complications

Most febrile seizures do not lead to complications, but certain situations may require closer medical evaluation:

• Recurrent febrile seizures

• Prolonged seizures lasting more than 15 minutes

• Multiple seizures within a 24-hour period

• Increased parental anxiety and stress

The risk of developing epilepsy later in life is slightly higher than average but remains low for most children.

Prevention

Febrile seizures cannot always be prevented, but certain steps may help reduce risks:

• Prompt treatment of fevers with appropriate medications as advised by a healthcare provider

• Monitoring children closely during illnesses

• Ensuring children stay well hydrated during fever

• Educating caregivers on seizure first aid and when to seek medical help

Most children outgrow febrile seizures by the age of 5 and go on to develop normally without long-term neurological problems.