Febrile Seizures (cont.)
What should be done for a child having a febrile seizure?
Parents and caregivers should stay calm and carefully
observe the child. To prevent accidental injury, the child should be placed on a protected surface
such as the floor or ground. The child should not be held or restrained during a
convulsion. To prevent choking, the child
should be placed on his or her side or stomach. When possible, the parent should gently remove all objects in the
child's mouth. The parent should never place anything in the child's mouth
during a convulsion. Objects placed in the mouth can be broken and obstruct the
child's airway. If the seizure
lasts longer than 10 minutes, the child should be taken immediately to the
nearest medical facility. Once the seizure has ended, the child should be taken
to his or her doctor to check for the source of the fever. This is especially
urgent if the child shows symptoms of stiff neck,
extreme lethargy, or abundant vomiting.
How are febrile seizures diagnosed and treated?
Before diagnosing febrile seizures in infants and children, doctors sometimes
perform tests to be sure that seizures are not caused by something other than
simply the fever itself. For example, if a doctor suspects the child has
meningitis (an
infection of the membranes surrounding the brain), a
spinal tap
may be needed to check for signs of the infection in the cerebrospinal fluid
(fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord). If there has been severe diarrhea
or vomiting, dehydration could be responsible for seizures. Also, doctors often
perform other tests such as examining the blood and urine to pinpoint the cause
of the child's fever.
A child who has a febrile seizure usually doesn't need to be hospitalized. If
the seizure is prolonged or is accompanied by a serious infection, or if the
source of the infection cannot be determined, a doctor may recommend that the
child be hospitalized for observation.
Next: How are febrile seizures prevented? »
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