Fever fits

    Common condition in young children

By Nilma Dole

      Parents should be cautious and mindful when their children have fever fits because not all are related to epilepsy. More often than not , we tend to worry about it confusing it with epileptic fits but for any problem , a medical consultation is vital to determine what exactly is the cause. President of the college of paediatricians , Dr.Deepthi Smarage spoke about a particular type of fainting attack called fever fits.
      Q : What are febrile convulsions (fever fits) ?
      A : Febrile convulsions (also called fever fits , fits with fever or febrile seizures) is common condition in children , in the age group of six months to six years. They occur in 3-4%of all children.
           The child loses consciousness briefly and may develop jerky movements coupled with a bout of fever.
           This is not a prolonged fever because it is nothing to worry about but parents should ensure that the child is safe and not in harm's way.
      Q : Do fever fits need prompt treatment if there are repeated fits ?
      A : No. Since it is an age-related condition , it will pass when the child becomes older , after six years.
            Long-term medications have their own side effects because it can be harmful later on in the individual's life. As febrile convulsions are self-limiting , ensure that the child is in a safe environment when such a fit occurs.
      Q : In what way can parents or the guardians help the child when a fit occurs ?
      A : Unwanted manoeuvres during the time of the fit can endanger the child's health and will have dramatic consequences. This can lead to chocking and difficulty in breathing so parents/guardians should be educated on what to do. The important thing is not to panic and bring the child to a position lying down (horizontal) in a foetal position.
            No external substances should be administered by mouth during the time of the fit as it can have a dangerous impact. If the fit doesn't subside after about five minutes , the child should be taken to the doctor immediately.
      Q : Is there a particular drug which the parents/guardian can administer at home ?
      A : Yes , if the fit doesn't resolve spontaneously within five minutes , the parent/guardian can administer a medicine called diazepam which is given through a vial through the rectum.
            The child should be kept under observation and consult the doctor on a fre-quent basis.
      Q : Do febrile convulsions develop into epilepsy later in life ?
      A : This is very rare but if febrile convulsions prolong for more than 20minutes then the chances of developing epilepsy can be more.
            Even though febrile seizures are quite benign , every episode should be fully evaluated by a doctor. A child may have had three febrile seizures from which they recovered quickly and easily , but the fourth episode of convulsions and fever may be a serious illness , not febrile seizures. So it really depends from each child as it can trigger different reactions in children.
      Q : Do children with febrile convulsions need EEG (Electroencephalography) and CT (Computed axial Tomography) scans ?
      A : Not at all. If the diagnosis of febrile convulsions are very clear these investigations are not really necessary.
            Best is to talk to a doctor first before doing any sort of investigations.
      Q : Do febrile convulsions affect the development of the child ?
      A : No. A child will develop normally and achieve their full potential even if they have had febrile convulsions when they were small