As a parent, few experiences are more frightening than when your child has a febrile seizure. These seizures that last from seconds to minutes can leave parents feeling helpless and overwhelmed. However, understanding febrile seizures can help you respond with confidence and know when to seek immediate medical attention.
Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure in infants and young children, particularly between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. While these episodes appear alarming, most febrile seizures do not cause long-term health problems or indicate a serious underlying condition.
What Is a Febrile Convulsion?
One in every 25 children will experience one or more febrile seizures in their lifetime. A febrile seizure (also called a febrile convulsion or fever fit) is a seizure that occurs mostly in younger children when their body temperature rises above normal due to an illness. These seizures in children with fever are most common between six months and five years of age.
A typical febrile seizure can last from a few seconds (simple febrile seizure) to up to 15 minutes (complex febrile seizure). After the fit, children may feel drowsy, lightheaded or confused.
Children who have experienced a febrile seizure have a 30 to 35 per cent chance of recurrence. Although it is impossible to predict exactly when another episode will happen, understanding the causes, risk factors and symptoms can help parents feel more prepared.
Signs and Symptoms of Febrile Seizure
Recognising the symptoms of a febrile seizure can help you respond quickly:
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Loss of consciousness or “blackout”
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Uncontrollable twitching or jerking of arms and legs (tonic-clonic movements)
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Difficulty breathing
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Foaming at the mouth
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Skin turning pale or bluish
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Eyes rolling upward (only the whites visible)
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Drowsiness, irritability or not regaining full consciousness for 10 to 15 minutes after the seizure
What Causes Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures occur due to a sudden rise in body temperature, most often from:
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Viral infections
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Bacterial infections
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Fever
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Occasionally from environmental heat combined with illness
A child’s developing brain is more sensitive to fever spikes than an adult’s, making them more vulnerable to a fever-induced seizure.
Children under 12 months old, or those with a family history of febrile seizures, are at higher risk for recurrent febrile seizures. Most recurrences happen within a year of the first seizure.
How to Reduce Fever and Lower Risk
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Keep the child cool. Avoid overdressing and ensure proper ventilation.
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Offer plenty of fluids. Frequent small sips of water are best.
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Use age-appropriate liquid paracetamol to reduce fever (note that it does not prevent febrile seizures, it only helps reduce temperature).
First Aid for Febrile Seizure
If your child experiences a febrile convulsion, follow these steps immediately:
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Stay calm. Your child is not in inherent pain during the seizure.
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Lay the child on a cool, safe surface away from hazards.
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Do not put anything in their mouth or try to restrain them.
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When the convulsion stops, place them in the recovery position on their side.
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Note the start and end times of the seizure.
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Call your doctor after the seizure ends.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Seek emergency care if:
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The seizure affects only one part of the body
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The seizure lasts beyond five minutes despite cooling measures
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The child has trouble breathing or remains pale or blue
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There is another seizure within 24 hours
Prevent Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures can happen unexpectedly, but parents can prepare by:
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Learning basic first aid for febrile seizures
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Recognising symptoms early
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Keeping a child’s temperature under control during illness
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Discussing risk factors and action plans with a healthcare provider
FAQs
Are febrile seizures the same as epilepsy?
No, febrile seizures are not epilepsy. Epilepsy involves unprovoked seizures that occur without fever or illness, while febrile seizures only happen when a child has a fever.
Do vaccines increase the risk of febrile seizures?
Vaccines do not directly cause febrile seizures, but fever following immunisation may contribute to a seizure. However, this small temporary risk should not prevent children from receiving their recommended immunisations.
When do children typically outgrow febrile seizures?
Children rarely experience their first febrile seizure after age five, and those who have had seizures typically stop having them by this age. The brain’s temperature regulation system matures significantly during the preschool years, reducing seizure sensitivity.
