Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Preventing the child from developing epilepsyDuration and frequency of the current episode: Approximately 2 minutes
Current general condition: Good
Medical history: The first episode occurred when she was 9 months old, followed by another attack after half a month, with a total of 2 episodes during that time. It was associated with high fever at the time. Over the next 4 years, she had two episodes where her temperature was 37.5°C or 37.9°C before it rose. This year, she has had 4 episodes.
Previous diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes: Hospital intravenous treatment
Additional tests: None
Doctor's answer:
Hello,Febrile seizures are a common symptom in infants and young children under 3 years old, most frequently occurring in those aged 6 months to 3 years. They often occur during acute upper respiratory tract infections, with higher incidence in males than females. Most children outgrow them by the age of 3-5. The primary cause of febrile seizures is the immaturity of the child's central nervous system, combined with infection and fever. Febrile seizures have a genetic predisposition and are prone to recurrence; the recurrence rate within the first year of life is as high as 50%. Repeated febrile seizures can lead to brain damage, which may result in intellectual disability, behavioral disorders, paralysis, or the development of epilepsy.
Characteristics of febrile seizures:
1. Seizures occur in children without central nervous system infections when they have high fever of 38.5°C or above, especially 39°C or higher. The seizures are generalized, often sudden onset, loss of consciousness, fixed or upward rolling of the eyeballs, head extension, and involuntary or tonic muscle contractions in the limbs. The corners of the mouth or facial muscles may also twitch. Breathing may temporarily stop, and the child may appear cyanotic or pale. The duration is short, usually less than 10 minutes.
2. Seizures typically occur within 24 hours of the onset of high fever, especially within the first 12 hours, when the body temperature rises rapidly.
3. Consciousness recovers quickly after the seizure, and there are no abnormal neurological signs.
4. Children with a history of febrile seizures or those with a family history of the condition usually experience only one episode, which does not recur after the fever subsides.
5. The child is between 6 months and 5 years old.
6. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is normal during the seizure-free intervals.
Home care for febrile seizures:
1. Handling during a seizure