What do I do if my child has a f

What do I do if my child has a febrile seizure?

In some children, fevers (especially when the temperature rises or falls quickly) can trigger seizures. The actual degree of the fever does not have any direct relationship to your child having a seizure. A febrile seizure usually happens during the first few hours of a fever. The child may look strange for a few moments, then stiffen, twitch, and roll his eyes. He will be unresponsive (i.e. does not respond to your voice) for a short time, his breathing will be disturbed, and his skin may appear a little darker than usual. After the seizure, the child quickly returns to normal. Seizures usually last less than 1 minute but, although uncommon, can last for up to 15 minutes.

If your child has a febrile seizure, act immediately to prevent injury.

Place her on the floor or bed away from any hard or sharp objects.
Turn her head to the side so that any saliva or vomit can drain from her mouth.
Do not put anything into her mouth; she will not swallow her tongue.
Call your pediatrician.

Treatment
If your child has a febrile seizure, call your pediatrician right away. He or she may need to examine your child in order to determine the cause of your child's fever. It is more important to determine and treat the cause of the fever rather than the actual seizure. If there is a suspicion of a serious infection, like meningitis, your doctor may recommend that you take your child to the hospital to have blood work or a spinal tap done, especially if your child is younger than 1 year of age.

In general, physicians do not recommend treatment of a simple febrile seizure with preventive medications. However, this should be discussed with your pediatrician. In cases of prolonged or repeated seizures, the recommendation may be different, and it may be recommended that you have your child seen by a pediatric neurologist.

Anti-fever drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help lower a fever, but they do not prevent febrile seizures. Your pediatrician will talk to you about the best ways to take care of your child's fever. In general, it is recommended that you treat a fever if your child is uncomfortable or it is preventing them from taking fluids or resting. Fever is a good thing in most cases, since it helps the body fight infection, but if your child has had a febrile seizure in the past, the doctor may have slightly different recommendations.

If your child has had a febrile seizure, do not fear the worst! These types of seizures are not dangerous to your child and do not cause long-term health problems. If you have concerns about this issue or anything related to your child's health, talk to your pediatrician.

Remember
While febrile seizures may be very scary, they are harmless to the child. Febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, nervous system problems, paralysis, mental retardation, or death.