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A seizure is described as an involuntary spasm of muscles. Febrile seizures occur in developmentally and neurologically normal children between ages 6 months to 5 years of age who are also experiencing a fever and who are without an infection of the central nervous system. Febrile seizures occur in 2-5% of all children under 5 years of age. While frightening, they are generally benign events.
Two classifications exist – 1) The simple febrile seizure is a single, brief episode associated with a fever and it resolves within 15 minutes. 2) The complex febrile seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes and/or it recurs within a 24 hour period.
Three risks have been identified as possible predisposing factors for febrile seizures: height and duration of the temperature, a first degree relative with a history of febrile seizures, and if it occurs in association with vomiting and diarrhea.
One third of children will have a recurrence of a febrile seizure, more commonly between 12 - 24 months of age. Four risks have been identified for recurrence of febrile seizures: 1) first degree relative with a history of febrile seizures, 2) age of onset less than 18 months of age, 3) temperature greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and 4) rapid onset (less than one hour between the onset of the fever and occurrence of a seizure).
A practitioner will perform a history and physical exam and determine if any other tests would be helpful to assess the problem. No routine blood tests are necessary to diagnose a febrile seizure.
Lumbar puncture should be performed if an infection of the nervous system is suspected or if a child is under 18 months of age and your practitioner has a concern for a nervous system infection. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is not indicated unless a complex febrile seizure occurs or if a child has a neurological abnormality. An MRI is reserved for difficult cases; for example, seizures with neurological changes and/or changes on an EEG exist.
A fever is best treated with antipyretic medication (Acetaminophen and/or Ibuprofen) and administered prior to an event. If the seizure occurs, avoid danger to the child by assuring safe placement of the head and avoiding choking. Parents should activate their local emergency medical system (i.e. call 911) if the child has a loss of consciousness for greater than 1 minute. Treatment of a single febrile seizure is not indicated since only one third of children will have a second febrile seizure.
Typically an anticonvulsant medication is chosen for children with a known underlying neurological abnormality or if a recurrent febrile seizure is prolonged. The onset of a febrile seizure does not occur with every fever; therefore, treatment is specific to the case and chosen by the practitioner and parents. Intermittent therapy has been used. Most of the medications that have been studied do have side effects (including sedation, aggressiveness, euphoria, cognitive changes, weight changes, blood abnormalities etc.). The medications include diazepam, phenobarbital, and valproate. Diazepam has been the most favorable and can be administered orally or rectally, Two drugs are ineffective in preventing recurrent febrile seizures – phenytoin and carbamazepine.
Febrile seizures do not result in serious complications, including mental retardation, a decrease in IQ, cerebral palsy, neurological damage, epilepsy or learning difficulties. Thus the simple febrile seizure has no long or short term effect. No recommendation to restrict activities exists.
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are used to treat fever but have not been proven to prevent a seizure or its recurrence. Nothing has been guaranteed to prevent an initial febrile seizure.