Febrile Convulsions Flashcards
What are febrile convulsions?
Seizures (fits and convulsions) occurring in children aged 6 months to 5 years with fever and no underlying causes
When do febrile seizures typically occur in an infection?
Early in a viral infection when temperature is rapidly rising
How do febrile seizures typically present?
As generalised tonic-clonic seizures
What are the two types of febrile seizures?
Simple and complex
What is a simple febrile seizure?
An otherwise healthy child who has had one tonic-clonic seizure lasting less than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period
What are complex febrile seizures?
Focal, prolonged or repeated seizures in the same illness
What is the underlying pahtophysiology of febrile seizures?
Unknown but a genetic predisposition is clear
What are the majority of febrile seizures caused by?
- Viral infections
- Otitis media
- Tonsillitis
What serious illnesses need excluding as a cause of the febrile seizures?
- Meningitis
- UTI
- LRTI
- Cerebral malaria
What are the risk factors for febrile seizures?
- Rapid temperature elevation
- Male gender
- Family history
- Unvaccinated
How do febrile seizures present?
As tonic-clonic seizures
What are tonic-clonic seizures?
Where the body becomes stiff and the arms and legs begin twitching, the child loses consciousness but their eyes remain open
What other symptoms can a febrile seizure have?
- Irregular breathing
- Incontinence
- Vomiting
- Increased secretions
What temperature does a child with febrile seizures normally have?
> 38
Are tests needed to diagnose febrile seizures?
No, but tests may be needed to find the underlying cause
What tests may be needed to identify the underlying cause of the febrile seizures?
- LP
- EEG
- Brain MRI
- Bloods
What are the differentials for febrile seizures?
- Meningitis
- Metabolic disorders
- Encephalitis
- Epileptic seizure
- Breath holding spells
How should a febrile seizure be managed?
Protect the child from injury, check airway and put in the recovery position
What should be given if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes?
Rectal diazepam
What should be done if seizure lasts more than 10 minutes?
Second dose of rectal diazepam
What is given if the two doses of rectal diazepam fail?
IV phenytoin
What are the complications of febrile seizures?
Linked to an increased risk of epilepsy
