What should you know about managing febrile convulsions in children?

A febrile convulsion is a seizure that occurs with a raised temperature in a child, often during an infection such as influenza or another common illness. The child may stiffen, jerk, become unresponsive, or roll their eyes. The event can be frightening, but it usually stops on its own. Fever medicines may improve comfort but do not reliably prevent another seizure. A clinician should assess a first seizure and look for the source of the fever.

Place the child on a safe surface, move nearby objects away, cushion the head, and loosen tight clothing. Turn the child onto their side when possible and note when the movements begin and end. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, give food or drink, or place them in a cold bath. After the event, stay with the child, check breathing, and follow the clinician’s advice for fever care. Arrange a child health consultation after any first episode.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats without recovery, affects only one side, or the child has trouble breathing. Emergency assessment is also needed for a stiff neck, unusual rash, severe drowsiness, persistent unresponsiveness, serious injury, or signs of dehydration. Do not drive a child who is actively seizing; follow emergency dispatcher instructions.

Ask what caused the fever, how to use fever medicines safely, whether a rescue medicine is appropriate, and what action plan to follow if another seizure occurs.