Watching your child seizure can be terrifying. Kidshealth.org states that the word "seizure" describes, "a sudden malfunction in the brain that could cause someone to collapse, convulse, or have another temporary disturbance of normal brain function, often with a loss or change in consciousness." The most common seizure can occur in usually healthy children. These seizures are called febrile seizures and can happen when a child has a fever due to an infection, or most commonly, influenza.
Influenza
Influenza is a communicable disease caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms of influenza include fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, sore throat and a cough. Children, especially babies who are sick with the flu, tend to have a higher fever than adults with the flu. According to Familydoctor.org, these fevers are often higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit and can lead to febrile seizures.
Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures are convulsions caused by a fever. During seizures, children's bodies may convulse and shake. Some children may moan and lose consciousness. Seizures usually last a few minutes, but can last up to 15 minutes, according to KidsHealth.org. Febrile seizures are fairly common. Roughly 2 to 5 percent of children have at least one febrile seizure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These seizures are most common in children between 6 months and 5 years of age. The CDC also reports that one in three kids who have a febrile seizure will have another one. Febrile seizures usually have no lasting effects on children who experience them. Although they can be scary, these seizures are not considered dangerous.
What to do if a Child Has a Febrile Seizure
Since there is no treatment for febrile seizures, the most important thing to do when a child has a seizure is to assure his safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends preventing injury by placing the seizing child on the floor or on a bed, away from any hard or sharp objects that could cause injury. It is extremely important not to put anything in the child's mouth during a seizure and to turn her head to the side to prevent her from choking on saliva or vomit. Seizing children should never be left alone. They should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of the fever that resulted in the seizure.
Febrile Seizure Prevention
According to the CDC, nothing that can be done to prevent febrile seizures. Fever-reducing medication that do not contain aspirin may be given to the sick child if directed by the doctor. These medications will not prevent seizures. In the case of influenza, one study published in "Pediatric Neurology" concluded that immunizing children against influenza could prevent influenza, therefore the seizures that result from it.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Febrile Seizures; May 2011.
- Canadian Pediatrics Society: Influenza in children; Dec. 2010.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:Febrile Seizures Following Childhood Vaccinations, Including Influenza Vaccination; October 2010.
- Kidshealth.org: Febrile Seizures; Nicole Green, MD; October 2009
- Kidshealth.org: Seizures; Fran Filloux, MD; January 2010.
- "Pediatric Neurology"; Influenza and Febrile Seizures in Childhood; K.L. Kwong, et al.; December 2006.
