FEBRILE FIT( FEBRILE SEIZURE)
- Febrile means fever( temperature >37.5 C) and the fit is abnormal activity.
- They are relatively common and occur between 6 months and 5 years of age.
- It occurs in 3- 10% of children( means in 100 children, 3-10 might have a fit )
- The trigger is always fever secondary to Viral infections – Tonsillitis/ chicken pox/ Ear infections etc..
CHARACTERISTICS OF FEBRILE FIT
- The child’s body can become stiff, limp, up-rolling of eyes, drowsy or lose consciousness.
- Children generally recover quickly( < 10 min ) from it.
- After the seizure, they appear sleepy but come back to their normal self.
- No permanent damage is done
- It rarely (< 1% ) leads to Epilepsy(Seizure disorder)
FIRST AID DURING SEIZURE
- Do not panic. Febrile fits are generally not life-threatening
- Place them in the recovery position.( Lay them on their side with their face turned to one side)
- Do not put anything into their mouth ( until instructed by your doctor)
Note the time and details of the seizure and do as below
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If seizure lasts > 5 min then call an ambulance to nearest hospital
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If the seizure lasts< 5 min and child is ok, then call the doctor for an update.
PRECAUTIONS
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When a child is prone to fever/ fit give him regular Ibuprofen( 8 hourly ) or Paracetamol ( 6 hourly) during illness
- Wiping the whole body with room temperature water to bring down the body temperature helps marginally.
INVESTIGATIONS FOR A TYPICAL FEBRILE FIT
- Generally, the doctor may ask for a blood test ( to rule out other causes)
- There is no need for any scans
SIGNS OF BRAIN INFECTION-
If signs of brain infection call an ambulance IMMEDIATELY.
- Long lasting seizure
- Bleeding spots on body
- Change in colour/ Pale/ Blue
- Seizure involving one part of body ( not generalised)
- Seizure not at the peak of temperature
- Vomiting/ decreased responsiveness/ Drowsy( Difficult to arose)