Febrile convulsions: what age do they happen?

They are seen most often in toddlers. A seizure with fever outside the usual age range still needs medical assessment because another cause may need to be considered.

A febrile convulsion is a seizure associated with a fever in a young child. The child may become stiff, jerk, roll their eyes, lose awareness, or appear briefly unresponsive. Sleepiness or confusion can follow.

The fever may come from an infection such as a cold, an ear infection, or influenza. The seizure can happen early in the illness, sometimes before a caregiver has noticed the fever. A febrile convulsion is not the same diagnosis as epilepsy.

Note when the seizure starts. Place the child on a safe surface, move hard or sharp objects away, cushion the head, and turn them onto their side when you can do so safely. Stay with them and watch their breathing.

Do not restrain the movements or put fingers, medicine, food, or any object in the child's mouth. Once the child is fully awake and able to swallow, offer fluids. Fever medicine may improve comfort when used according to the child's age and product directions, but it does not reliably prevent another febrile convulsion.

Call emergency services now if this is the child's first seizure, the seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer, another seizure begins before recovery, breathing is difficult, only one side of the body is affected, or the child is injured.

Emergency assessment is also needed if the child remains unusually drowsy or unresponsive, develops a stiff neck, or has a rash that does not fade when pressed. Even after a short seizure stops, arrange prompt medical review to identify the cause of the fever, especially for a baby younger than 6 months or a child older than 5 years.

Ask what likely caused the fever, whether the child's age or seizure pattern suggests further tests, and what signs should trigger emergency care. If seizures have happened before, ask for a written action plan and whether rescue medicine is appropriate.