Febrile convulsions Flashcards
1
Q
Febrile convulsion
A
Seizure associated with fever in child 6m - 6y in absence of intreacranial infection or identifiable neurological disorder
Most common cause of seizures in children
Underlying infection may be viral or bacterial (otitis media, tonsillitis, pneumonia, UTI)
2
Q
Clinical features
A
6m-6y Occur when body temp rises rapidly Typically brief (1-2 mins), generalised, tonic-clonic Most children well after seizure FH Prognosis very good Note: beware meningitis
3
Q
Management
A
Parental education
Treatment of underlying infection (CXR, urine, blood culture, LP)
Regular anti-pyretics and tepid sponging (no evidence)
Termination of prolonged convulsion (>15mins) with rectal diazepam
4
Q
Epilepsy?
A
NOT epilepsy
3% go on to develop epilepsy
Risk factors: seizures that are focal, prolonged or recur in same illness; first-degree relative with epilepsy; neurological abnormality
