WHAT IS A FEBRILE CONVULSION?

It is a convulsion brought on by a fever in a child. It can happen between six months and five years of age.

WHAT IS A CONVULSION?

A convulsion is an attack in which the child becomes unconscious and usually stiff, with jerking of the arms and legs. It is caused by unusual electrical activity of the brain. The words convulsion, fit, and seizure have the same meaning.

IS IT EPILEPSY?

No. The word epilepsy means fits without fever, usually in older children and adults.

DO FEBRILE CONVULSIONS LEAD TO EPILEPSY?

Rarely, 99 out of 100 children with febrile convulsions never have convulsions after they reach school age, and never have fits without fever.

DO FEBRILE CONVULSIONS CAUSE PERMENENT BRAIN DAMAGE?

Almost never. Very rarely a child who has a very prolonged febrile convulsion lasting half an hour or more may suffer permanent damage from it.

WHAT STARTS FEBRILE CONVULSIONS?

Any illness that causes a high temperature, usually a cold or other virus infection.

WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN?

Three out of 10 children who have a febrile convulsion will have another one. The risk of having another febrile convulstion falls rapidly after the age of 3 years.

WHAT SHALL I DO IF MY CHILD HAS FEVER?

You can take the child's temperature by placing the bulb of the thermometer under his/her armpit for three minutes with his/her arm held against his/her side. Keep him/her cool by taking off his/her clothes and reducing the room temperature. Give plenty of fluids to drink. Give children's paracetamol medicine (eg. Calpol, Panadol, Disprol) to reduce the temperature. The following doses can be given:

Up to 1 year old one 5 ml spoonful (120mg)
Aged 1 to 3 years two 5 ml spoonfuls (240mg)
Aged 4 years and over three 5ml spoonfuls (360mg)

Repeat the dose every four hours until the temperature falls to normal, and then every six hours for the next 24 hours.

If the child seems ill or has earache or sore throat, let you doctor see him/her in case any other treatment, such as antibiotic, is needed. Antibiotics are not necessary for most children with fever due to virus infections.

WHAT SHALL I DO IF MY CHILD HAS ANOTHER CONVULSION?

Lay the child on his/her side, with his/her head on the same level or slightly lower than the body. Do not try to force anything into his/her mouth. Do not slap or shake the child.

Your GP or the hospital may give you a medicine to insert into you child's bottom. This is called rectal diazepam. If the convulsion has not stopped by the time that you have found the tube, insert it into the child's bottom and squeeze the contents of the tube. This treatment should stop the convulsion within 10 minutes. It if does not, take your child to the hospital. You can dial 999 to obtain an ambulance. Let your GP know what has happened. About one child in 30 will have had a febrile convulsion by the age of five years.

DOES THE CHILD SUFFER DISCOMFORT OF PAIN DURING A CONVULSION?

No. The child is unconscious and unaware of what is happening.

IS REGULAR TREATMENT WITH TABLETS OR MEDICINE NECESSARY?

Usually not. The doctor will explain to you if your child needs regular medicine.

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