Frightening Febrile Convulsion

some kids (remember not all) may develop sudden onset of convulsions/fits during fever . This is known as febrile convulsion

it's frightening to see fits for the first time in a kid who was otherwise normal and playing well. most of the time the fits occur before mother recognises that the kid has fever

no need to panic about the simple febrile fits (so other type also exists namely complex fits/atypical fits)

Febrile fits occurs most commonly during 6 months to 4-5 years of age and very rare after 5 years .

Certain percent of kids cannot tolerate temperature and this fits occur in families with febrile fits

some time the parents cannot remember whether they had fits during their childhood and you have to ask the grand parents since the fits is very rare after 5 years

most of the time convulsions stop with in 5-10 minutes and no need to rush to hospital during the episode of fits .

An episode will have
sudden jerky movements
twitching of hands and legs
Up rolling of eye balls
Passing urine and motion
loss of consciousness

since the episode of convulsion stops by its own , no need to rush to hospital .
- place the child on his back and turn to one side
- don't try to restrain twitching hands and legs
-don't try to open the clenched teeth
- head should be turned to one side so that excessive saliva will come out and won't cause aspiration

treatment to prevent febrile convulsion:
during convulsion we cannot do much but we can prevent future episode by following steps
1. Undress the kid
2.tepid sponging -soak a towel in tap water and spong the baby from head to foot .it will reduce temperature and prevent development of fits

3.give paracetamol suspension according to weight

4.give tablet clobazam during fever to prevent fits (after Pediatrician opinion )

atypical /complex seizures need further assessment with EEG (electro encephalogram ) and neurologist opinion
what is atypical convulsion
- convulsion lasting more than 10 minutes
-convulsion occurring more than 2 times in 24 hours

-Any focal convulsion involving only one hand or one leg (normally simple febrile convulsion involves all hands and legs )