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
