Fever convulsions: what parents should know

During an episode, a child may become stiff, jerk rhythmically, lose awareness, roll their eyes or stop responding briefly. Sleepiness or confusion can follow while the child recovers. Fever may be linked to an infection, but the temperature reading does not by itself explain every seizure. A clinician considers the child’s age, previous health, the event’s duration, breathing, recovery and signs of infection.

Most brief episodes settle on their own, but the first event should be medically assessed. A seizure without fever, a prolonged event, or a child who remains unusually drowsy requires urgent evaluation for other causes.

Lay the child on the floor or another safe surface, move hard objects away, protect the head with something soft, and note when the movements begin. Turn the child onto their side when practical and watch their breathing. Do not hold them down, place anything between the teeth, or give water, food or medicine until they are fully alert. Stay nearby and describe what happened to the medical team.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats before the child recovers, affects breathing, follows an injury, or occurs in water. Seek emergency help for a stiff neck, severe headache, repeated vomiting, a non-fading rash, marked weakness, or delayed return to normal awareness. Contact a clinician promptly after any first fever convulsion, even when the child appears well afterward.

Could an infection be causing the fever? Does my child need tests or follow-up? What should we do if another episode occurs? Which medicines are safe for fever, and is a rescue treatment plan needed?