Febrile Seizures
What are Febrile Seizures (Fits)?
Febrile seizures or fits normally occur in children between 6 months to 6 years old. An episode may occur when a child has a high fever, especially when there is a quick spike in temperature. During a febrile seizure, jerking of limbs may be observed, along with up rolling of eyes and/or clenching of teeth. The child may also have a lack of voluntary control over his or her urination or bowel movements. A seizure episode usually lasts only for a few minutes, but some may last for up to 15 minutes. After a fit episode, the child will usually feel sleepy or lethargic.
What do I Do when My Child has a Fit?
- Most importantly, do not panic if your child has a fit
- Do not place any objects (e.g. metal spoon, fingers) into the child’s mouth as this may cause unnecessary harm to your child
- Do not attempt to feed your child any oral medication during a fit
- Turn your child on their side to prevent him or her from choking
- Ensure there are no hard or sharp objects in the way as this may hurt your child during a fit
- Bring down your child’s temperature by sponging or administering medication through the rectum (or as prescribed by your doctor)
- Always bring your child to the doctor for a consult to ensure no other complications develop
How do I Prevent Another Fit?
If your child is running a fever, monitor their temperature closely (every 2 to 4 hours), serve their medication regularly and sponge them to keep the temperature below 38.5 degrees Celsius. If your child has had 2 to 3 previous episodes of seizures, your doctor may prescribe a rectal medication as a standby.
