Febrile Fits
The usual scenario: The child will develop a temperature, is usually under two years of age, but can be any age (although it is very unusual if over 5 years of age). Out of the blue their temperature shoots up and they go straight into a fit.The distress of seeing their tortured bodies convulse is only replaced by the immeasurable pleasure of seeing them relax as they are injected with an anti-convulsant. Unfortunately parents who have not witnessed this and do not know what is happening will feel absolutely awful, completely useless, and will probable think their child is going to die. Fortunately most of the fits last less than five minutes and there is no lasting damage at all. This condition is quite common, although if it happens in the middle of the night when every one is asleep no one would know it had happened.
So who will have one and how can it be prevented? Any child can be the victim of a febrile fit, so it is useful to take some simple precautions when your child becomes ill. Use paracetamol at the full dose stated on the packet and at regular intervals too. This comes in a variety of commercial packs via the pharmacist and is also available from your doctor. This drug helps to lower the temperature but will also make your child more comfortable. It is also important to keep your child cool.
When they start shivering, don't pile the blankets on. No, strip them off. When they shiver then their temperature is on the way up, so do not help it along. Strip off their clothes down to the vest or even naked. Keep the covers in the bed to a minimum or even absent. Tepid sponging used to be advocated but now paediatric units do not advise that this is done.
Cool drinks are another way of helping the temperature go down. Opening windows and turning off the heating will all help the poorly child feel more comfortable. They do not of course guarantee that a fit will not occur.
So if your child does have a fit be sure to move objects away from them. Make sure nothing will fall on them, do not restrain them, and be sure they do not choke by gently laying them on their side. Make sure they are not left unattended and when possible contact medical help. If a febrile fit has occurred then it is more likely to occur again. If it happens more than twice then your child may end up taking some anti-convulsant medicine to try and prevent it happening by means of a drug. This does not necessarily mean that your child will suffer with epilepsy. The symptoms of this are similar, in that you have a fit but without a fever. Some children who have epilepsy will have had febrile fits, but most children who have febrile fits will not suffer in this way.
by Dr David Garwood
NHS Direct: Febrile convulsions
BBC Health: Febrile fits
Patient UK: Febrile convulsion
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