What is a febrile convulsion and what do you do if your kid is having one -Kidspot
Febrile convulsions: Everything you need to know
Any parent who has witnessed their child having a febrile convulsion knows it’s one of the scariest things to witness. Paediatric nurse from CPR Kids, Sarah Hunstead, explains why they happen, and what to do when or if it does.
Sarah Hunstead | August 25, 2021
Febrile convulsions (sometimes known as fever seizures or fits) are common in children. They usually occur in children between the ages of six months and six years of age, and affect around three per cent of children, which means one child in 30.
As a parent, it can be terrifying to see your child have a febrile convulsion, however the good news is that a simple febrile convulsion does not cause a child any harm to their brain or their development.
What is a febrile convulsion and what causes them?
A febrile convulsion happens when there is a rapid change in your child’s body temperature caused by a fever. The brain’s electrical signals ‘short circuit’ briefly, resulting in a convulsion (fit or seizure). It is important to note that it is the rapid change of body temperature during a fever that causes a febrile convulsion, not how high the temperature gets.
A child who has a febrile convulsion may:
Jerk or twitch, particularly their limbs.
Turn blue around the lips.
Become stiff or floppy.
A febrile convulsion may last several minutes, however, on average they stop after a minute or two.
A febrile convulsion happens when there is a rapid change in a child's body temperature. Image: iStock
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What do I do if my child has a febrile convulsion?
If your child has a febrile convulsion the first thing you need to do is stay calm, then apply the following first-aid:
Make sure your child is safe – move them away from anything they may hurt themselves on.
Put something soft under their head to stop their head from hitting a hard surface if needed.
Take note of the time and what the seizure looks like - it is very helpful if you can time the length of the seizure and describe it to the doctor.
Roll your child onto their side (recovery position), you may need to wait until the seizure stops to do this.
Call 000 - ambulance, particularly if this is your child’s first seizure, it lasts longer than five minutes, or they are not recovering/still blue when the seizure stops.
Don’t put anything in their mouth, including your fingers – they won’t swallow their tongue.
Your child might be drowsy after the seizure – this is normal. They may also be cranky for a while, too. Doing a first-aid course will help you to feel more confident and calm in a situation like this, it is important to know the correct first-aid.
Knowing CPR, in case it is needed, is a must for every parent. iStock
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Do children grow out of them?
About one in three children who have a febrile convulsion will have another one. Most children will grow out of this by the age of six. It is very important to remember that febrile convulsions do not cause brain damage, and having a febrile convulsion does not mean that your child has epilepsy.
Can you prevent febrile convulsions?
You can’t prevent febrile convulsions. Giving your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower their temperature does not prevent a febrile convulsion from happening. Only give paracetamol or ibuprofen for comfort if your child has a fever and is miserable or in pain.
Don’t put them in a cold bath, just dress them in cool, comfortable clothing.
Remember, fever is the body’s natural response to fight infection, and always see your doctor if you are worried about your child or have questions about their health.
For more information on CPR or how to care for a sick or injured child, visit the CPR Kids website: www.cprkids.com.au
This article was first published in August 2017 and updated in August 2021.