Febrile Convulsion

It is a type of convulsion which is accompanied by fever. It is the most common type of childhood convulsions. It is usually seen in children aged 6 months to 5 years, and most frequently in the 18-22 month old age group. Familial inheritance is suspected.
Convulsion may manifest with loss of consciousness, eyes rolling back, blue lips, stopping breathing, muscle contractions in all or some parts of the body and urinary or fecal incontinence. Body temperature rises to 38.5°C or higher before or after convulsion.
Febrile convulsion usually lasts short, in most cases lasting for less than 3 minutes and ending by the time a doctor is consulted. In a quarter of patients, the first sign of fever may be febrile convulsion.
Convulsions lasting less than 15 minutes and not recurring within 24 hours are classified as simple convulsion.

Recurrence Risk of Seizures
• Experiencing the first febrile convulsion at less than one year of age
• History of epilepsy or febrile convulsion in first-degree relatives
• Having frequent infections
• Convulsion occurring at slightly higher body temperature (less than 40°C)
• Time between rising body temperature and convulsion is less than 2 hours
• Warnings for family members:
• Febrile convulsion may involve familial predisposition
• Febrile convulsion is not an epileptic seizure
• Risk of recurrence is lower after three years of age
• Short-lasting febrile convulsions do not cause brain damage
• Vaccination is not a risk factor

Febrile Convulsion May Recur at a Rate of 1/3, in which case:
• Lay the patient on a flat surface on their side
• Do not attempt to restrain the patient
• Do not attempt to open the jaw, arms and legs during the convulsions
• Do not feed anything orally
• Do not have the patient smell onions or other substances
• Do not pour cold water on the patient; however, a warm shower may be useful.