Febrile Convulsions

Question 1

What are febrile convulsions?

Answer 1

Seizures provoked by fever in otherwise normal children

Question 2

What age of child is usually affected by febrile convulsions?

Answer 2

Between the ages of 6 months and 5 years

Question 3

What type of seizure are febrile convulsions?

Answer 3

Short lived tonic clonic seizure

Question 4

When do febrile convulsions typically occur?

Answer 4

Early in a viral infection as the temperature rises rapidly

Question 5

How long does the seizure tend to last in febrile convulsions?

Answer 5

Less than 5 minutes

Question 6

What is the most common cause of febrile convulsions?

Answer 6

Roseola (Human herpes virus 6)

Question 7

What are 3 types of febrile convulsions?

Answer 7

Simple
Complex
Febrile Status epilepticus

Question 8

How long does a simple seizure last?

Answer 8

< 15 minutes

Question 9

What type of seizure is simple ?

Answer 9

Generalised tonic clonic seizure

Question 10

Is there recurrence with simple seizures?

Answer 10

Not within 24 hours

Question 11

How many times does a simple seizure occur in a febrile illness?

Answer 11

Only once in a febrile illness

Question 12

How long does recovery take with a simple seizure?

Answer 12

24 hours

Question 13

How long does a complex seizure last?

Answer 13

15 - 30 minutes

Question 14

What type of seizure of is a complex seizure?

Answer 14

Focal seizure

Question 15

What can occur in 24 hours with a complex seizure?

Answer 15

Repeat seizure

Question 16

How long does febrile status epilepticus last?

Answer 16

More than 30 minutes

Question 17

How are febrile convulsions diagnosed?

Answer 17

On history alone

Question 18

What do you need to rule out before diagnosing febrile convulsion?

Answer 18

• Epilepsy
• Infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
• Intracranial space occupying lesion
• Syncopal episode

Question 19

When should a child be admitted to paediatrics?

Answer 19

• Children who have had a first seizure

* Any features of a complex seizure

Question 20

What is the management of febrile convulsions?

Answer 20

Antipyretics- Paracetamol and ibuprofen (reduce fever)

Question 21

What do you need to identify in someone having febrile convulsions?

Answer 21

Identify the underlying cause

Question 22

What advice is given to parents for managing a seizure?

Answer 22

Stay with the child
Put the child in a safe place, for example on a carpeted floor with a pillow under their head
Place them in the recovery position and away from potential sources of injury
Don’t put anything in their mouth
Call an ambulance if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes

Question 23

What are the risk factors for a second seizure?

Answer 23

• Age of onset < 18 months
• Fever < 39ºC
• Shorter duration of fever before seizure
• Family history of febrile convulsions

Question 24

What are the risk factors for developing epilepsy?

Answer 24

• Family history of epilepsy
• Having complex febrile seizures
• Background of neurodevelopmental disorder