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Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Febrile Seizures

Febrile seizures occur in young, healthy children with normal development.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Febrile Seizures

A febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child that's caused by a fever.

Insight:

  • The fever is often from an infection.
  • Febrile seizures occur in young, healthy children who have normal development and haven't had any neurological symptoms before.
  • Symptoms may include fever higher than 100.4 F, loss of consciousness, and shaking/jerking of the arms and legs
  • Febrile seizures can be either simple or complex:
    • Simple febrile seizures. This most common type lasts from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Simple febrile seizures do not recur within a 24-hour period and are not specific to one part of the body.
    • Complex febrile seizures. This type lasts longer than 15 minutes, occurs more than once within 24 hours, or is confined to one side of the child's body.
  • Risk factors may include young age and having a history of seizures in the family.
  • Diagnosis may include blood test, urine test, and spinal tap.
  • Treatment may include placing the child on their side on a soft, flat surface, start timing the seizures, stay close to watch and comfort the child, don’t put anything in the child’s mouth, and call for emergency back up.

Sources:

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