A seizure occurring in a child age 1 month to 5 years, coupled with a fever, but with no evidence of central nervous system (CNS) infection, is known as a febrile seizure. Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure seen in this age group. Many children have one or two incidences of febrile seizures with no recurrence. For others, the underlying cause is more problematic.
Types of Febrile Seizures
Research has resulted in the categorization of febrile seizures into three groups:
Simple Febrile Seizure Occurs in a child of approximately 6 months to 5 years of age with no CNS infection. The seizure lasts less than 15 minutes and is generalized. The child is neurologically healthy.
Complex Febrile Seizure Criteria are the same as the simple febrile seizure with the exception that the seizure is either prolonged (longer than 15 minutes), focal rather than generalized, or several seizures occur in series.
Symptomatic Febrile Seizure Criteria are the same as the simple febrile seizure with the exception that the child has an acute infection.
Seventy to 75 percent of children who present with febrile seizures have the simple variety. Twenty to 25 percent have complex febrile seizures and 5 percent have symptomatic febrile seizures.
Symptoms
While febrile seizures may seem dangerous, your child is usually not in any danger from it. Even though they don't last long, it may seem like it last much longer as you watch your child go through it. Below are some signs and symptoms of febrile seizure:
Rapid rise in temperature to above 102 degrees F
Baby loses consciousness and eyes roll back in the head
Labored or difficult breathing
Shaking and jerking of both arms and both legs
When to See Your Pediatrician
Any time your child has a febrile seizure, take him for evaluation by his pediatrician as soon as possible. Once the seizure ends, call the doctor immediately and ask where to take your child for examination. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes and your baby vomits, has a stiff neck, trouble breathing, or persistent sleepiness, call an ambulance and take him to the emergency room for evaluation.
Causes of Febrile Seizures
Fever associated with a viral or bacterial infection cause most febrile seizures. Occasionally, meningitis or encephalitis, extremely serious infections of the CNS, causes the seizures. Some children may present with febrile seizure after certain immunizations. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause a fever 8 to 14 days after immunization. This may result in a febrile seizure. Please note that the fever associated with the vaccine causes the seizure; the vaccine itself does not cause seizure.
Is Your Child at Risk?
The number one risk factor for febrile seizure is age. A child's seizure threshold is lowest between the ages of 1 month and 5 years. Family history of febrile seizures also increases your child's risk of experiencing a seizure due to elevated temperature. Research shows that males are slightly (but definitely) more likely to experience febrile seizures. Two to 5 percent of U.S. children will have a febrile seizure by the time they reach 5 years of age.
Concerns
Most febrile seizure incidents pass without incident and do absolutely no damage to the child's health. However, if your child was 14 months or younger when he had his first seizure, had a low fever (under 102 degrees F), has an immediate relative with a history of febrile seizures, or had a short period between the onset of fever and seizure, his risk of having another seizure with a subsequent fever is increased. Take your child to the pediatrician as soon as possible after any seizure. The pediatric doctor will examine him and evaluate his status as to future risks.
