Febrile Convulsions

• fitting due to raised body temperature of child

Typical Patient

• 6 months to 6 years

Symptoms / Signs

• fever

• generalised convulsions

  • last less than 15 minutes

• normal neurological development

• positive family history for febrile convulsions

Variants

Pathology

Investigations

• close observation means lumbar puncture should not be necessary

• bloods, urine, etc. to isolate source of fever

Treatments

• reduce temperature

  • paracetamol

  • ibuprofen

  • tepid sponging

• treat underlying infection

Prognosis

• good

• 2/3 may only have one in their lifetime

• risk of epilepsy 2-5% - more likely if

  • attack >15 mins

  • repeated

  • focal

  • occurred in first year of life

  • followed by hemiparesis

Complications

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