Complications of Febrile Seizures

A febrile seizure is a seizure associated with fever, often during an infection such as influenza. The child may stiffen, jerk, become unresponsive or briefly lose awareness. Most children recover quickly after the event. A seizure that affects only part of the body, lasts longer, happens more than once during the same illness or is followed by an unusually slow recovery deserves medical review. Febrile seizures do not automatically mean epilepsy, although a clinician may consider the child’s development, examination and family history.

Place the child on a safe surface on their side, move nearby objects away and note when the movements begin. Do not restrain the child, put anything in the mouth or give food, drink or medicine until they are fully alert. Stay with them and watch their breathing. Afterward, keep the child comfortable and arrange a child health consultation, particularly if this was the first seizure or the fever has no clear explanation. Fever treatment may improve comfort but does not reliably prevent every febrile seizure.

Call emergency services if the seizure continues, breathing is difficult, the child does not wake normally, another seizure starts soon afterward, the movements affect one side, or the child has a stiff neck, severe rash or signs of serious illness. Urgent assessment is also needed after a first seizure. Do not wait for the fever to disappear before seeking help when the child’s alertness or breathing is abnormal.

Ask what type of seizure this appeared to be, how to record the child’s temperature and seizure duration, whether a fever source needs testing, and what action plan to follow if it happens again.