Febrile convulsions do not simply mean “convulsions” when “fever” is present.
Febrile convulsions are defined as a sudden rise in body temperature in infancy (often between the ages of 3 months and 6 years) that causes abnormal firing activity in the brain, resulting in generalized muscle spasms, while excluding intracranial infections or other definite causes. In addition previous convulsions when not febrile, then febrile convulsions cannot be diagnosed either.
Why do febrile convulsions occur?
Febrile convulsions do not occur in all babies. Studies have shown that about 2-8% of the population will have one or more febrile convulsions during infancy and early childhood.
So which babies are prone to febrile convulsions? There are currently several main conditions.
Genetic factors: about 33.7% of affected children have a family history and studies have confirmed the genetic location of the inheritance.
delayed neurological development: immature brain development in affected children, which makes them overly sensitive to hyperthermia and prone to convulsive seizures
Low immune system function: studies have found that children with febrile convulsions have low immunoglobulins.
How to treat febrile convulsions?
1. laying the baby flat on his back or in a flat place to prevent falling or bruising.
2. turn his head to the side to promote the discharge of saliva or vomit.
3. do not put anything into his mouth, as tongue bites rarely occur.
4. do not pinch or force the flap to straighten a bent limb, which will not end the seizure and will only increase the injury.
5, promptly go to the hospital.
How to prevent febrile convulsions?
After the first occurrence of febrile convulsions occur 30% to 40% of babies are likely to have another seizure, 75% of babies have another seizure within 1 year and 90% within 2 years. Therefore, it is important for parents to do a good job of prevention and control to prevent reoccurrences.
Prevention of high fever factors: cold is the most common cause of fever in babies, so it is necessary to strengthen nutrition, regular outdoor activities to enhance physical fitness and resistance, in addition to avoid getting cold, less crowded areas, etc.; timely medical treatment should be sought when there are symptoms of cold.
Timely treatment of high fever: When the body temperature reaches 38℃, the fever should be actively reduced, including physical fever reduction and medication fever reduction. Do not wait until the temperature reaches 39°C or has already convulsed before remembering to reduce fever.
short-course intermittent medication: children with two febrile convulsions or a single convulsion lasting >15 minutes can be treated in this way, i.e., anticonvulsant medication is used when the temperature exceeds 37.5°C and is discontinued when the temperature normalizes.
Long-term continuous medication: that is, long-term use of anticonvulsant drugs, and then slow reduction and discontinuation if the convulsive seizures stop for more than 2 years. This approach is mainly suitable for babies with the following conditions: ineffective use of short-course intermittent medication; ≥4 history of febrile convulsions; ≥2 history of hypothermic convulsions (<38°C); no history of febrile convulsions; single convulsions lasting >15 minutes or persistent status; and epilepsy risk factors.
Can febrile convulsions become epilepsy?
Although the symptoms of febrile convulsions and epilepsy are relatively similar, they are not the same disease. And parents do not need to be overly nervous because the chance of febrile convulsions turning into epilepsy is low. Studies have found that only 2-10% of children with febrile convulsions develop epilepsy. With careful parental care and regular treatment by doctors, most babies will not have sequelae after febrile convulsions.