FEBRILE SEIZURES

FEBRILE SEIZURES
Febrile seizures usually occur in children who are between the ages of 6 months and 5 years of age. They occur most often in children with a family history of this problem. Most such seizures occur in the setting of a viral illness, typically in the first few hours of the illness. It is thought that febrile seizures are the result of the rapid rise in body temperature and not the absolute height of the fever. Such seizures are typically short in duration (less than five minutes) and are characterized by stiffening or shaking of the arms and legs. Eyes may deviate upwards. The child’s breathing slows or even pauses as the seizure ends. After a seizure a child will most often be very sleepy for 1-2 hours.

Treatment includes:
- Lying the child down on his or her back
- Keeping the airway open by removing any visible food from the child’s mouth. (Never try to put anything into the child’s mouth during a seizure).
- Mouth to mouth breathing is not indicated.
- After the seizure stops and child is able to swallow give an appropriate dose of Tylenol of Motrin (see dosing chart); Tylenol may be given in rectal suppository form.

Call 911 if:
- This is a child’s first seizure.
- Seizure last for more than five minutes.

Always call our office if your child has a seizure even if the child is known to have febrile seizures.

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional care.
You should consult your own physician or other health care provider for specific advice and treatment,
which advice and treatment will be based upon your individual facts and circumstances.