Febrile Convulsions

Febrile convulsions are fits (seizures) that sometimes happen in a child with a high temperature. Febrile convulsions usually happen between the ages of 6 months and 6 years and approximately 3 in every 100 children will have at least one febrile convulsion. Febrile convulsions can be frightening for parents, especially as they look like epileptic fits.

Febrile convulsions can happen as a result of any illness that causes a high temperature, over 39C (102F), particularly in children under the age of four. Illnesses that most commonly cause febrile convulsions include viral upper respiratory infections such as flu, ear infections, or roseola (a virus causing a temperature and rash).

• Children who have frequent illnesses and infections are also more likely to have febrile convulsions. Febrile convulsions may happen between 8- 14 days after a vaccination (such as MMR). However, far more children have febrile convulsions as a result of measles itself
• A febrile convulsion may be the first sign that a child has a fever. It is important to find out what illness is causing the fever, as soon as possible after a fit. As there is a small chance that the cause could be meningitis. It is most common in children who are under 1 year old and who do not return to normal when the fit is over. Very few children have more than three febrile convulsions.
• Children are more likely to have further fits if the first was when they were very young, or if the child has a close relative (such as a parent or sibling) who had febrile convulsions. There is a slightly higher risk that they will go on to develop epilepsy but this is very rare.
• Febrile convulsions usually last less than a minute, but they can continue for up to 5 minutes. They usually happen on the first day of an illness and do not always happen when the child’s temperature is hottest. In fact, a febrile convulsion is sometimes the first sign that the child is ill.
• Convulsions do not usually last for more than 5 minutes and the child makes a full recovery. Symptoms however can include the following:
  1. Child looks hot and flushed, because of their temperature.
  2. Dazed or confused and black out (lose consciousness). At this point they may fall down if they have been sitting or standing.
  3. Child’s muscles tighten and this may cause them to moan or cry out.
  4. May stop breathing (usually for around 30 seconds) and their face may turn blue.
  5. Muscles in the arms, legs and face, and other parts of the body, twitch and shake.
  6. The child may be flushed and sweating with a very hot forehead
  7. May stiffen and arch their back
  8. Fists may be clenched
  9. Many children also lose control of their bladder or bowel.
  10. They often fall into a deep sleep afterwards.