Febrile Seizures - Hayward,CA

Hi L.,

I worked with a child who had Febrile Seizures. Most doctors will tell you that your child will out grow the seizure by 3-4, but the girl I worked with was older than that, and when she had a fever, she started showing signs of the seizures.

When a fever started, she would become "out of it" and that "out of it" look would last until the fever was under control. When she got the gaze in her eyes, we would pound Advil into her.

The seizures are scary, but normally they do not do harm.

Best wishes-

R. Magby

My 5 year old daughter has had 3 in about 3 years. They are indeed scary, but they are usually not harmful to the child! It's the body's reaction to the high fever. The first time we went to the ER, the MD actually said that a febrile seizure doesn't necessarily need immediate medical attention, such as calling 911. He said to skip that and stay at home. Give fever reducer, a cool wash cloth, and stay and comfort them until they are alert and feeling better.The first one I saw lasted about 1 minute, and she was "out of it" for about 10 minutes after. The seizure takes all of their energy! And then all they want to do is sleep! I would give a dose of fever reducer at the first sign of a fever! The earlier you get it, the less likely it can spike high enough to cause the seizure. The good news...I'm told after about the age of 6, they are rare! usually only happens to young children.

L.,
First let me say I understand how terrifying this experience is and I hope that your little one is back to himself. I am the mother of two girls, one is almost 4 and the other is almost 2. Both of my daughters experienced febrile seizures at 15 months for my oldest and at 19 months for the baby. Both were terrifying experiences and events I pray never occur again.

My oldest actually had four febrile seizures in one day. One at our house, one in the ambulance and two while at the hospital. She had a fever that would not break. I knew she was having a seizure instantly and directed my husband to call 911. Upon the arrival of the ambulance, they instantly took off her clothes and laid my baby on a gurney. It was hard to witness. While at the hospital, she expereienced more seizures as they continued to bring down her temperature. I have training in seizures and know that for children these type of seizures are not harmful, rather they are the body's attempt to fight off an infection and re-set its internal temperature. However, as the mother to a seizing child, all of that knowledge goes out the door. My daughter's fever eventually broke. Afterwards she was subjected to several test, menigitis, numerous blood and urine test and scheduled for an EKG. Everything was fine. She was herself after about a day. This was a life lesson I hoped to never repeat. So you can imagine my horror when my youngest daughter had a febrile seizure.
She was slightly sick with a runny nose and fever throughout the day. I gave her Tylenol before bedtime and off to sleep she went. Nearly four hours later, she made the loudest screech. We came running and found her in the crib seizing. I learned from the previous experience with my oldest daughter that we needed to lower her temperature. I instantly grabbed my baby and jumped into the shower. I let the cold water run on her bare legs and stomach. My husband called 911 and by the time the ambulance arrived at our home, my baby had stopped seizing. We went to the hospital and she was examined and cleared later that morning. Given the limited amount of time of the febrile seizure, she was back to herself by the time we drove to the hospital.
Needless to say both experiences were terrifying. I know now to seriously monitor my girls when they have fevers and to provide the needed medication- Motrin when they are sick. Also, I am hypervigilant when it comes to protecting them from illness, at least I try to be. When they get shots, as in the case of my oldest daughter, I really monitor their reactions. I believe, that when she got her 15 month series of shots, the number of vaccines administered produced a reaction that caused her body to fight the vaccine and that induced the fever. (I am not anti-vaccine, just mindful of the potential reactions they can cause in children).
Virtual hugs to you and your son. I know the terror in witnessing something like this happening tou your precious child. Hopefully he is back to his normal self and you are able to relax and know that he is okay.

- T.

My son had one at age 2 - we had no idea what was happening at the time but he is now 4 and doing fine. We are extra cautious now when he gets a fever and never ever ever leave him alone in the bathtub. We have had a few high fevers since then but no seizures - our best method for fever control has been alternating dosages of tylenol/motrin and a lukewarm bath - actually the lukewarm bath is the best for fever control - it brings it down immediately.

My 3yr old son had one just a couple months ago while we were home alone. I completely freaked. I am CPR certified and am usually the level headed one when an emergency arises. I never thought I could feel so helpless in my life. We called 911 and rushed to the ER. He normalized within a day thankfully, but I can say that I am forever changed from this experience. I know that febrile seizures happen all the time but it is different when it's your child. We still use a baby monitor and it took us a few days to let him sleep in his own room. He is normal and healthy but I know that experience is always in the back of my mind. I have always been the type of mom to not worry about too much. I think it just takes time to emotionally recover from this.

My son use to have them every time he had a fever. The first time is so scary. I will tell you that from now on, when your child has one...there is no need to rush him to the hospital. It's only going to cost you a fortune. They run unnecessary tests and put your child through hell. They will give your child motrin, which is something you could have done at home. After your child has one, call your doctor and they will want you to bring him in. If your child doesn't come out of it within 15 minutes, then I would take him to the hospital. They are not harmful unless they don't come out of them within about 20-30 minutes. My son would have one, come out of it within 5 minutes (one time it lasted 20 minutes) and then he is a little out of it for a while. The jerking is normal and very scary, but it's ok.

My son died 2 years ago because his grandma left him alone in the tub. He was 3. He hadn't had a seizure in about 8 months and in that time, he had had a few fevers. She thought he was done with seizures. NOPE! Don't assume that your child is done having them if they go without a seizure during a fever. And never leave a child under the age of 5 alone in the tub. He had a seizure in the tub and drowned. Of course he died because of neglect though. Just wanted to share that little piece.

Good luck and don't panic...too much!

My daughter had her first one at age 1. She had a temp. took her to the Dr. Had a UTI.got a shot of antibiotics. Left.......Im driving in my car when she starts having a seizure. The jerks, trying to talk and it was all a jumbled mess and bubbles coming out of her mouth and the eye rolling. I'm surpised I didnt wreck the car, but I found a house ran to the door.. thank god the person was home. Called ambulance. Her lips were blue and she was out of it. Hospital checked her out and gave her motrin and sent us home. She had 2 more after that. But finally ourgrew them. I will say my PED was soo good. I saw him after the second one still a panic mess and he was very nice and put his arm around me and said.....I know it is hard to see but she will be fine. There is no need to go to the EMR just call me if she has another one. After that I felt alot better...I dont know if you get over the panic, but it calmed me down knowing my PED wasn't overly concerned about them. The third one, I did call the ambulance (it is free so)out and by the time they got there she was better so I chose not to take her to the EMR and we went to the DR. I know it's hard, but hang in there! She had all of them from age 1-2 and didnt have anymore after that.

Hi my 7 month old daughter had several seizures and still does not at 18months. The good news is they were not febrile!!!! That goods news is for you. My sisters son did have a febrile seizures when he was an infant as well. He has never had one since. She just makes sure she has tylnol and ibprofine on hand at all times to reduces any fevers when her son us sick. He is now 6 years old and is out of the scare zone. Febrile seizures are very common and you should not worry unless he gets another fever. If so just keep the fever under control and you should be good. Please let me know if you have any questions about seizures, I have become an expert on this topic!!!!!

My kid had on a few months back and we just called our pediatrician after and he talked us through it. Basically 5 percent of kids get them Vince they get one, the chance of getting another goes up to 50 percent. We are more dilligrnt about giving Tylenol when his fever goes up, especially before bed when we cannot monitor. The fever seizure results from a sudden spike in temp. Ours was due to a warm bath followed by warm jammies and blankets, in my opinion. My son was back to normal after one full day of rest. After the seizure, which was at night, he was very out of it snd upset for about an hour and then fell fast asleep. All of this completely normal according to my dr. We did take him in following afternoon and I remember him energetic in the office. I found my pediatrician very reassuring. Was not interested in hospital. Too stressful for me. Sounds like it may have hit him hard. It sure is lots of work for their body. I would recommend consulting your pediatrician If you haven't just so you can build the history. Also look to him for reassurance. My doc made me sleep well that night. Felt like it was very normal.

Hi L.,
My son had them as well from about before 1-2.5 years old and nothing since, he is 4 now. It is super scary and unfortunately I don't think I would ever get used to them. He's had about 4, once he has it, he is really sleepy, which the doctor says is normal. He would be pretty much back to normal within 3-4 hours or so. I think they would normally last less than 5 minutes?
Once he would have a fever we would start right away on Tylenol and Motrin to keep fvers down. The doctor said it's not neccessarily how high the fever is but how quickly it spikes that causes the seizures. Kids usually outgrow them at 3-4 years old. Hang in there...I hope your little one outgrows them soon!
M.

My daughter had one over a year ago. She was almost a year old. She hasn't had any since then and she turned 2 about 2 months ago. We just really try to stay ahead of the game if she has a fever with tylenol or motrin. But yes, it is terrifying. We called 9-1-1. Just remember they are sick because they have the fever and so it can take a while for them to feel like themselves again.

Oh, I'm so sorry. My son had a febrile seizure 10 months ago, and honestly my husband and I are still traumatized (and we're both doctors). He was not quite himself for about 24hrs after that.

He has not had another seizure since then (although he's had many fevers). Every time my son has a fever now, I give him Tylenol/Motrin regularly, and I wake him up in the middle of the night to check on him and give meds/cold bath if needed.

Even though they say the seizures are harmless, once you witness one in your child, it's really hard to believe! I admittedly still check his temp WAY too frequently, just because I'm so paranoid. And I probaly give him Tylenol or Motrin too often. I also keep his room cool and avoid heavy pj's so he won't overheat. I'm not saying you should do all these things, just saying that if you're like me, you may worry about seizurs for a long time! Best wishes!