Why do young children get febrile seizures?

Occurring in young children who are more suspectable to infection, febrile seizures are caused by a fever or a high temperature, nearly always over 38-39 degrees celsius. They usually happen between the ages of 6 months to 6 years when their brains aren’t quite developed and at least 3 in every 100 babies or children will experience one at some point.

What is a febrile convulsion?

Febrile convulsions are seizures that sometimes happen in a child with a high temperature. They can be frightening for parents, especially since they look a lot like an epileptic fit. Convulsions can happen as a result of any illness that raises temperature, particularly in children under the age of four.

What causes seizures?

Illnesses that most commonly cause febrile convulsions include viral upper respiratory infections such as the flu and ear infections.

It won’t come as a surprise then to learn that children who have frequent illnesses and infections are also more likely to have febrile convulsions. They can happen between 8 – 14 days after a vaccination (such as MMR) but more importantly can happen as a result of measles itself. Sometimes a febrile convulsion can be the first sign that a child even has a fever so can take parents by complete surprise.

It is important to find out what illness is causing the fever as soon as possible after a seizure since there is a small chance that the cause could be meningitis, mostly in babies under 1 year old who don’t appear to return to normal even when the seizure is over. 

Children are more likely to have further seizures if the first was when they were very young or if other relatives in the family (such as a parent or sibling) have also had febrile convulsions. There is also a slightly higher risk that they will go on to develop epilepsy, but this is very rare so parents shouldn’t worry. And even in children with a family history are only likely to experience three in their lifetime.

Febrile convulsions, although look scary to a new parent, usually only last less than a minute and rarely more than 5 minutes. They are more likely to happen on the first day of an illness which is not necessarily when the child’s temperature is the hottest so can be difficult to predict and can take a new parent by surprise. In fact, a febrile convulsion is sometimes the first sign that the child is ill.

Things to look out for during a seizure:

• The child looks hot and flushed because of their temperature.
• Dazed or confused and blackout (lose consciousness). At this point, they may fall down if they have been sitting or standing.
• Child’s muscles tighten, which may cause them to moan or cry out.
• May stop breathing (usually for around 30 seconds) and their face may turn blue.
• Muscles in the arms, legs and face, and other parts of the body twitch and shake.
• The child may be flushed and sweating with a very hot forehead.
• May stiffen and arch their back, fists may be clenched.
• Many children also lose control of their bladder or bowel.
• They often fall into a deep sleep afterwards.

Watch this video on how to help your baby during a febrile seizure.