Febrile seizures, the scary convulsions that can arise from a fever, often strike kids between 6 months and 6 years old. Infants aged 1 are particularly susceptible, with about 3% experiencing them. During the seizure, the child may twitch uncontrollably and even roll their eyes, which can be alarming for any concerned parents. This blog will give you an inside look at the causes, symptoms and treatment of febrile seizures so you can be prepared and stay calm.

What are febrile seizures?

Febrile seizures are seizures caused by a fever. Many research findings have linked them to genetics and heredity. This means that children can inherit a predisposition to febrile seizures, which occur once they have a fever.

There are two types of febrile seizures: simple and complex. Simple febrile seizures are easy to identify, and often have these 4 features:

- A body temperature higher than 38.5°C.

- Convulsions on the first day of fever, happening only once within 24 hours.

- Short-lived convulsions that often last less than 5 minutes.

- A seizure that affects both sides of the body (e.g., both arms and legs), with symptoms like rolling the eyes and lips turning blue.

Complex febrile seizures have slightly different features:

- Occurring when the body temperature reaches 38°C

- More than one seizure within 24 hours

- A seizure lasting more than 10 minutes

- A focal seizure that only affects one part of the body

Complex febrile seizures may be caused by other infections such as central nervous system infections, upper respiratory viral infections and middle ear infections, or other issues including brain trauma, epilepsy, brain tumours and meningitis. It is therefore necessary to bring your child to a paediatrician if relevant symptoms appear.

What should I do if my child has a febrile seizure?

If you ever witness your children having a seizure with their whole body shaking and their eyes rolling, it can be a scary experience. Stay calm and take note of their symptoms. Then, bring them to a paediatrician for a comprehensive examination. The doctor will observe their clinical symptoms, ask about their family health history, and perform a neurological examination to rule out other possible conditions.

Don’t worry if your children are diagnosed with simple febrile seizures. These seizures are benign and cause no complications or sequelae in the brain, metabolism or any body functions. They also do not affect intellectual development. Most children will not experience febrile seizures after the age of 6.

How should I react if my child has a febrile seizure?

A sudden seizure in your beloved child can send you into a tailspin. These measures can help keep your child safe during a seizure:

1. Keep the nose and mouth clear and avoid inserting any objects (including hands) into the mouth to pre vent choking or injury. It's unlikely that your child will bite their tongue during febrile seizures.

2. Lay your child on their side or with their head tilted to the side to let saliva and foreign objects flow out and avoid choking.

3. Keep your child still to protect their head and clear away any hard or sharp objects that could hurt them.

4. If the seizure lasts for more than five minutes, call an ambulance immediately.

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