Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Febrile Seizures

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:

• Febrile seizure - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
• febrile seizures - Google Search