$Unique_ID{BRK01402}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites, Nervous System and Sense Organs}
$Title{Febrile Seizure}
$Subject{seizure febrile fever}
$Volume{A-1, F-1}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Febrile Seizure


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QUESTION:  This is the third time in as many months that my 4 year old son has
had a seizure during an illness with high fever.  What am I doing wrong?  Is
there any chance that he will have some permanent damage?  Please answer these
very important questions for me.

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ANSWER:  Up to 5 percent of all children may experience a febrile seizure or
convulsion (febrile means fever) by age five.  For most, the major side effect
is scaring the dickens out of parents.  However, a convulsion can also be a
symptom of a more serious condition, such as a brain infection.  Febrile
seizures can either be simple (a single seizure) or complex (more than one or
one that lasts longer than 15 minutes).  Most febrile seizures last less than
five minutes and are associated with fevers above 102 F.  Removing excessive
blankets and quilts may help to cool the child a bit and can help prevent
seizures.  Usually, children who have febrile seizures are better by the time
they see the physician, and aside from giving acetaminophen to reduce the
fever, there is no treatment.
     Your child has had repeated febrile seizures and should be followed more
closely.  Up to 40 percent of children who have one febrile seizure will have
one again during a fever, usually within a year.  Your physician may discuss
the advisability of your child taking anticonvulsant medications until age 5
or so to prevent future episodes.
     Only 2 percent of all children who have febrile seizures develop epilepsy
and another 1 percent have nonepileptic seizures.  Occasionally, children are
found to have mental retardation, coordination problems, or sensory or
perceptual abnormalities after febrile seizures, but these problems probably
existed before the seizure and are only noted because the child undergoes
testing afterwards.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
