Mina’s* eldest son, Adrian, was about a year old when he had his first febrile fit. He had been nursing a fever when the fit came suddenly on. In a panic, terrified Mina rushed him to hospital.
A Desperate Dash
Adrian was admitted for a few days where he was tested and treated. At the end of his stay, the doctors diagnosed him with febrile fits.
In time, with the help of her Paediatrician, she was able to better manage his fevers, and the fits, when they occurred, were few and far between.
What Is A Febrile Fit?
When a virus or bacteria invades a body, the immune system triggers a response which causes a fever. In some infections, fever spikes are common, and for some children, these spikes cause a febrile, or fever fit.
Other than convulsions, febrile fits can also cause:
- a lost of consciousness
- stiffening of the limbs
- rolling of the eyes until the whites show
- twitching on one side of the body
While terrifying to watch, these fits are harmless, and children eventually outgrow them.
Susceptibility
Febrile fits occur amongst younger children, especially those aged between 6 months to 5 years of age. Keep a sharp eye out between the 12 – 18 month age bracket, where its incidence rate is highest.
While some children have a one-off episode, others may be susceptible to more frequent fits. Recurrence tends to be higher if:
- The first seizure came about during a low-grade fever.
- The time between the start of the fever to the seizure was short.
- There is a history of febrile fits in the family (researchers have discovered several genes tied to the prevalence of fits).
- She was younger than 18 months when it first occurred.
How Long Do They Last?
Simple febrile fits run anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. While they usually will not recur within a 24-hour period, the seizure can affect the whole body.
Complex febrile fits run over 15 minutes and can keep recurring within the same day. When they occur, they usually affect only one side of the body.
Febrile fits occur either at the spike of a fever or within 24 hours of a fever, foretelling parents that their child is ill.
What Causes It?
According to the Mayo Clinic, viral infections are the leading cause of febrile fits, with Influenza and Roseola leading the way, since they cause high fevers. Bacterial infections can also cause these fits, although not as common.
Additionally, febrile fits can also occur post immunisation, although it is the fever that causes the fit, not the vaccination.
Are There Any Complications?
As scary as a febrile fit is, the good news is that it has no lasting effects.
Additionally, no matter how often they occur, they do not damage the brain or cause any intellectual, or learning disabilities. Plus, they are not caused by any serious medical disorder.
While the fits bear a striking similarity to an epileptic fit, they are not. Epilepsy is characterised by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal signals within the brain. It is not caused by a fever.
Preventative Steps
If She Has A Fit
If your child develops a fit, medical intervention is always advisable, especially if this is her first time.
Visit your Paediatrician for an immediate consultation. If that is not possible, head to the nearest Emergency Department for help.
To help the doctor with his diagnosis, these points are worth noting down:
- How long has she been nursing a fever?
- What other symptoms does she have e.g. cough, runny nose, rashes, etc.
- What medication has she been taking, and when was her last dose.
- Was she recently vaccinated, and if so, what was it for?
- What happened immediately before and after the fit?
- How long did the fit last, and how many times did it occur.
If your child has a seizure while lasts longer than 5 minutes, and vomits, or is sleepy, has a stiff neck, or breathing difficulties, she needs to be rushed to the hospital.
Control Her Fever, Prevent The Fit
Since the prevalence of a fit increases with fever, it is vital to keep her fever down. Start her on medication at the first rise of temperature, then keep a watchful eye out.
After A Fit
If your child has been already diagnosed with febrile fits, her doctor will usually prescribe diazepam, in the form of suppositories, which should be administered immediately after the episode.
While they cannot prevent the fit, they do work to stop it from recurring. Doctors usually prescribe suppositories for children who suffer from complex fits.
Bringing Everyone Onboard
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, keep everyone at home in the loop, including your extended family, and helper. While you are at it, advise them what to do both during, and immediately after a fit.
Be Calm
While it is terrifying to see your child in the throes of a fit, keep calm. Once the fit has passed, soothe and comfort her. If she is hungry or needs to nurse, let her.
Be on hand to provide comfort and support to the rest of your family members too.
Keep Medicines Nearby
Keep her medication nearby for quick administration, and let those in charge know where to find them. Plus, always have extra medication on hand since fevers cannot be predicted.
Charting the dosage of her medication will also make it easier for you to monitor her.
Clear A Path
Make sure the area is cleared of toys and furniture. If she is near the stairs, carry her to a safer place.
Loosen clothing, and make sure her passageways are cleared of food, and liquid to avoid choking.
Lie her on her side, and wait for the fit to pass. Do not restrain her as you will only hurt her.
During a fit, do not insert anything into her mouth, or force her to swallow medication. Wait for the fit to pass.
Only when she is conscious, can oral medication be administered, if required. The same applies for suppositories.
Things Will Get Better
Febrile fits end with the passing of time, so hang in there, Mums!
For Mina, Adrian outgrew his fits by 4. Today, he is a strapping young man, in good health. As for the fits, he does not remember them at all!
*Names changed for privacy