A fever can be a frightening experience for any parent, and the sudden onset of jerking movements and loss of consciousness – a febrile seizure – can be particularly alarming. While understandably terrifying to witness, most febrile seizures are not dangerous and resolve on their own, according to medical experts.
A febrile seizure is triggered by a fever, most commonly occurring in children between six months and five years old. As Dr. Chandler Sparks, a family medicine physician with Banner Health, explains, these seizures often happen early in an illness, even before a parent is fully aware their child has a fever. “Febrile seizures are usually not related to any underlying seizure disorder,” Dr. Sparks said. “They usually don’t cause any lasting damage to your child’s brain, and body. Spooky for sure, but they are generally harmless.”
Understanding Simple vs. Complex Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures are categorized as either simple or complex. Simple febrile seizures are defined as lasting less than 15 minutes and not recurring within a 24-hour period. The vast majority of febrile seizures fall into this category. A simple febrile seizure, Dr. Sparks notes, often requires no medical intervention beyond managing the fever that caused it.
Complex febrile seizures, however, are longer in duration – exceeding 15 minutes – or occur multiple times within a 24-hour period. These require further investigation and often necessitate a short hospital stay for testing and observation.
What Causes Febrile Seizures?
The exact cause of febrile seizures isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed some children are simply more susceptible due to their developing brains. Factors that may increase a child’s risk include a family history of febrile seizures, the intensity of the fever, and a short time between the onset of the fever and the seizure. According to research, if a child experiences a first febrile seizure at a young age, the likelihood of recurrence in the following year is around 30%.
What to Do During a Febrile Seizure
Witnessing a seizure can be incredibly distressing, but knowing how to respond can help keep your child safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance on first aid for seizures. The key is to remain calm and protect the child from injury.
Here are steps to take during a seizure:
- Keep yourself and others calm.
- Stay with the person.
- Remove anything nearby that could cause harm.
- If the person is lying down, gently turn them onto their side to keep their airway clear.
- Time the seizure. Seek immediate medical attention if it lasts longer than five minutes.
For generalized seizures, which affect both sides of the brain and may cause loss of consciousness, it’s particularly important to ease the person to the ground if they appear to be falling to prevent injury.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most febrile seizures are harmless, follow-up with a healthcare provider is recommended. According to Banner Health, a board-certified physician should evaluate any seizure in a child due to the potential risks and necessary decision-making.
It’s important to remember that febrile seizures are generally not indicative of an underlying seizure disorder. However, some research suggests a possible, though not definitive, link between febrile seizures and a slightly increased risk of epilepsy or other seizure disorders later in life, particularly if there are pre-existing nervous system abnormalities.
Understanding the Long-Term Outlook
The majority of children who experience a simple febrile seizure will not develop epilepsy. However, ongoing monitoring and follow-up care are crucial to ensure the child’s continued health and well-being. Parents should discuss any concerns with their child’s doctor and adhere to recommended follow-up schedules.
Febrile status epilepticus, a rare and more severe form of febrile seizure lasting longer than 30 minutes, is associated with more negative outcomes and requires immediate medical intervention.
while a febrile seizure is a frightening event, understanding the nature of these seizures and knowing how to respond can empower parents to remain calm and provide the best possible care for their child.
