Patient's question:
When the child was 1.5 years old, the first high fever seizure occurred, with twitching and rigid limbs. How to prevent and treat it?Onset and duration of this episode: April 17, 2008, at 10 PM, lasting about 15 minutes. There were no twitches or rigid limbs, but there was phlegm, teeth grinding, and after going to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed it as a viral cold. White blood cell count was low; the last check-up was in December 2007. Currently, the child is in normal condition.
Medical history: No other diseases. Previous diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes: The last check-up showed low calcium; the one before that, on the third day, an EEG was normal, and blood tests showed no abnormalities. Ancillary tests:
Doctor's answer:
Extracted information for your referenceFebrile seizures are caused by a sudden increase in body temperature and are most common in children aged 6 months to 5 years, with the highest incidence at age 2. Approximately 4% of children experience febrile seizures, and this condition is likely to have a family history.
Causes Any illness that causes a rise in body temperature can lead to febrile seizures, such as ear infections, urinary tract infections, or sore throats. Anyone exposed to a sufficiently high temperature may experience a seizure, primarily because of abnormal brain activity. A child's brain is more sensitive to abnormal temperature changes, and fever can cause abnormal brain activity, leading to generalized seizure episodes. Febrile seizures may last for several minutes, with symptoms similar to other types of seizures: loss of consciousness, severe convulsions in all four limbs, and drowsiness after regaining consciousness.
When to See a Doctor If your child experiences a febrile seizure for the first time, you should take them to see a doctor immediately. The first episode of a seizure is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. The doctor may require hospitalization for more comprehensive examinations.
What You Can Do When your child has their first seizure, take them to see a doctor immediately.
- Lay the child flat on the ground, away from hard objects and sharp tools.
- Turn the child's head to one side so that any secretions can drain from the mouth without being inhaled.
- Lower the child's body temperature. If possible, remove all their clothing or use a damp towel to cool them down. Never place the child near a fireplace or heater, as this may prolong the seizure.
- Do not put anything in the child's mouth, as this can damage their teeth and do more harm than good.
- Even if the child has had a seizure before, if the episode lasts more than 10 minutes, seek medical attention.
- After the seizure ends, discuss the cause with the doctor and consult for handling methods to apply in case of future episodes.
Treatment If the seizure lasts more than 15 minutes, the doctor may administer anticonvulsant medication, most commonly diazepam, inserted rectally.
Prevention To prevent further seizures, take immediate measures when you notice an increase in your child's body temperature, such as administering acetaminophen, removing excess clothing, or using a damp towel to cool them down. If the child still experiences febrile seizures after these cooling methods, you may need to consider medication to prevent future episodes.
Generally, children over the age of 6 are less likely to experience febrile seizures. Only about one in twenty children who have had febrile seizures will develop epilepsy. Additionally, a recent study of 300 children who had febrile seizures found no difference in IQ or academic performance between them and children who had never had seizures, even up to the age of 14.