Febrile Convulsions Flashcards
(24 cards)
What are febrile convulsions?
Seizures provoked by fever in otherwise normal children
What age of child is usually affected by febrile convulsions?
Between the ages of 6 months and 5 years
What type of seizure are febrile convulsions?
Short lived tonic clonic seizure
When do febrile convulsions typically occur?
Early in a viral infection as the temperature rises rapidly
How long does the seizure tend to last in febrile convulsions?
Less than 5 minutes
What is the most common cause of febrile convulsions?
Roseola (Human herpes virus 6)
What are 3 types of febrile convulsions?
Simple
Complex
Febrile Status epilepticus
How long does a simple seizure last?
< 15 minutes
What type of seizure is simple ?
Generalised tonic clonic seizure
Is there recurrence with simple seizures?
Not within 24 hours
How many times does a simple seizure occur in a febrile illness?
Only once in a febrile illness
How long does recovery take with a simple seizure?
24 hours
How long does a complex seizure last?
15 - 30 minutes
What type of seizure of is a complex seizure?
Focal seizure
What can occur in 24 hours with a complex seizure?
Repeat seizure
How long does febrile status epilepticus last?
More than 30 minutes
How are febrile convulsions diagnosed?
On history alone
What do you need to rule out before diagnosing febrile convulsion?
- Epilepsy
- Infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
- Intracranial space occupying lesion
- Syncopal episode
When should a child be admitted to paediatrics?
- Children who have had a first seizure
* Any features of a complex seizure
What is the management of febrile convulsions?
Antipyretics- Paracetamol and ibuprofen (reduce fever)
What do you need to identify in someone having febrile convulsions?
Identify the underlying cause
What advice is given to parents for managing a seizure?
Stay with the child
Put the child in a safe place, for example on a carpeted floor with a pillow under their head
Place them in the recovery position and away from potential sources of injury
Don’t put anything in their mouth
Call an ambulance if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
What are the risk factors for a second seizure?
- Age of onset < 18 months
- Fever < 39ºC
- Shorter duration of fever before seizure
- Family history of febrile convulsions
What are the risk factors for developing epilepsy?
- Family history of epilepsy
- Having complex febrile seizures
- Background of neurodevelopmental disorder
