Summary about Disease
Juvenile convulsions, also sometimes referred to as febrile seizures in the context of high fever, are seizures that occur in young children, typically between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. They are often triggered by a fever, usually from an infection. While generally harmless and brief, they can be frightening for parents and caregivers.
Symptoms
Symptoms of juvenile convulsions can include:
Loss of consciousness
Jerking or stiffening of the arms and legs
Eye rolling
Foaming at the mouth
Skin color changes (flushing or paleness)
Brief period of sleepiness or confusion following the seizure (postictal state)
Causes
The most common cause of juvenile convulsions is a rapid rise in body temperature, often associated with viral or bacterial infections like:
Ear infections
Colds
Flu
Roseola In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
Medicine Used
Fever-reducing medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are used to lower the child's temperature.
Anti-seizure medication: Usually not required for simple febrile seizures. For complex or prolonged seizures, diazepam rectal gel or other emergency medications may be prescribed to stop the seizure.
Is Communicable
Juvenile convulsions themselves are not communicable. However, the underlying infection causing the fever may be communicable.
Precautions
During a seizure:
Stay calm.
Place the child on their side to prevent choking.
Remove any nearby objects that could cause injury.
Do not put anything in the child's mouth.
Do not restrain the child.
After a seizure:
Monitor the child closely.
Check for injuries.
Allow the child to rest.
To prevent seizures:
Promptly treat fevers with appropriate medication.
Dress the child lightly to avoid overheating.
How long does an outbreak last?
A single febrile seizure is usually brief, lasting less than 5 minutes. An "outbreak" in the sense of a disease does not apply, as it is a reaction to fever. However, a child may experience multiple febrile seizures during a single illness with a fever.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves:
Medical history: Review of the child's health history and family history of seizures.
Physical examination: Checking for signs of infection.
Neurological examination: Assessing the child's neurological function.
Possible tests: Blood tests or urine tests to identify the source of the infection. In some cases, an EEG (electroencephalogram) or MRI may be recommended, particularly if the seizures are complex or atypical.
Timeline of Symptoms
Before the seizure: The child may have a fever and appear unwell.
During the seizure: Loss of consciousness, jerking or stiffening, eye rolling, and other symptoms as described above occur suddenly. The seizure typically lasts a few seconds to a few minutes.
After the seizure: The child may be drowsy, confused, or irritable (postictal state). This can last for a few minutes to an hour.
Important Considerations
Most febrile seizures are simple and do not cause long-term problems.
Febrile seizures do not cause brain damage.
The risk of epilepsy (recurring seizures without fever) is slightly increased in children who have had febrile seizures, but the overall risk remains low.
Parents should seek medical attention immediately if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, the child has difficulty breathing, or the child is unresponsive after the seizure.