Preschool & School Age - Febrile Seizures

Question 1

What are febrile seizures?

Answer 1

Episodes of uncontrollable jerking movements and loss of consciousness when a child has a fever

Question 2

Does febrile seizure mean child has epilepsy?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

Signs and symptoms?

Answer 3

• rolling back of eyes into head
• short, sudden jerking movements of the muscles that cannot be controlled
• stiffening of the limbs of the body

Question 4

When is it the most common?

Answer 4

Between ages 6 months and 5 years

Question 5

Does it occur every time the child has a fever?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Do they cause brain damage?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Do they often run in families?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

How to treat a child’s fever?

Answer 8

• do not give aspirins
• can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• avoid giving cold bath to bring down body temp

Question 9

Why are children not usually prescribed anti-seizure meds?

Answer 9

Can reduce risks of febrile seizures but they have side effects

Question 10

Do they go away on it’s own?

Answer 10

Yes, goes away as child gets older

Question 11

When should you take your child to the ER?

Answer 11

Seizure pasts more than 3 minutes. Call ambulance or bring child to ER

Question 12

How to care for child having a seizure?

Answer 12

• keep away from sources of danger - - - put them on their side
• don’t hold child down or try to stop his/her movements
• do not out anything in their mouth (don’t want them to swallow anything)
• put something soft under child’s head
• record duration and characteristics of seizure