Febrile Seizures: What Parents Need to Know

Febrile seizures are seizures that can occur when a young child has a fever. They are frightening to witness, but most are brief and do not cause long-term harm.

They most commonly affect children between approximately six months and five years of age. A child may experience one during the first few hours of a fever, sometimes before a parent realises that the child is unwell.

What Parents Should Know About Febrile Seizures

During a febrile seizure, your child may:

• Become stiff

• Shake or have jerking movements

• Roll their eyes

• Become unresponsive

• Temporarily lose consciousness

• Seem sleepy or confused afterwards

Most febrile seizures last only a few minutes. However, any first seizure should be medically assessed, and a seizure lasting longer than five minutes is an emergency.

What to Do During a Febrile Seizure

Try to remain calm and focus on keeping your child safe.

• Place your child on a safe surface away from hard or sharp objects

• Protect their head with something soft

• Turn them gently onto their side when safe to do so

• Loosen tight clothing around the neck

• Note the time the seizure begins

• Stay with your child until it stops

Do not hold your child down or try to stop the movements. Never place medicine, food, liquid, fingers or another object in their mouth.

Once the seizure has stopped, place your child in the recovery position, check that they are breathing normally and allow them to rest while arranging medical care.

When Is It an Emergency?

Contact local emergency services immediately if:

• It is your child’s first seizure

• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes

• Your child has difficulty breathing

• Only one side of the body is affected

• Another seizure begins before your child recovers

• Your child is injured during the seizure

• Your child does not wake or respond normally afterwards

• The seizure occurs in water

What Happens After the Seizure?

Your child may be tired, irritable or confused for a short time afterwards. A doctor should assess them to confirm the likely cause of the seizure and identify the illness responsible for the fever.

Febrile seizures are not the same as epilepsy. Most children recover fully, although some may experience another febrile seizure during a future illness.

Can Febrile Seizures Be Prevented?

Febrile seizures cannot always be prevented. Fever-reducing medicine may help your child feel more comfortable, but it does not reliably prevent a seizure.

Only give medication according to the correct dose for your child and the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Febrile Seizures Cause Brain Damage?

Most brief febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, developmental difficulties or long-term health problems. Prolonged seizures require urgent treatment.

Should I Put Something in My Child’s Mouth?

No. Do not place anything in your child’s mouth during a seizure. This could injure your child or block their airway.

Should I Try to Cool My Child During the Seizure?

Do not undress your child, sponge them with cold water or give medication while the seizure is happening. Focus on preventing injury and monitoring how long the seizure lasts.

Will My Child Have Another Febrile Seizure?

Some children will experience another febrile seizure during a future fever, while many will not. Your paediatrician can discuss your child’s individual risk and provide a plan for managing future illnesses.

Be Prepared, Not Afraid

Febrile seizures can be alarming, but knowing what to do can help you respond safely.

Keep your child away from hazards, do not restrain them, place nothing in their mouth and time the seizure. Seek emergency assistance when it lasts longer than five minutes, affects breathing or is your child’s first seizure.

Book a Paediatric Consultation

For the assessment of fever, childhood illness or follow-up after a seizure, contact Dr Lerissa Pillay’s paediatric practice. Her services include general paediatric care and acute illness management.

For an active seizure or severe symptoms, contact emergency services immediately.

Medical Disclaimer

This article provides general educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Any child experiencing a first seizure should receive urgent medical attention.