Febrile Convulsion: Healthcare for Your Child Beyond Your Home

     I deeply understand the distress every parent feels when seeing their child having a seizure. Most people instinctively try to pry the mouth open or insert fingers to prevent the child from biting their tongue, even if it means getting bitten themselves. However, that is not the correct method and can be very dangerous. I have written this article to serve as a guide for caring for your child before reaching the doctor in time.

The doctor's recommendations when a child has a febrile seizure are as follows:

• Place the child on their side, turning the head to one side to prevent choking and ensure the tongue does not block the airway.
• If the child is chewing anything, use your finger to gently clear the mouth.
• Loosen any tight clothing so the child can breathe easily.
• Do not pry the mouth open during a seizure.
• Use a towel dampened with room-temperature water to wipe the body until the fever subsides.
• Once the seizure stops, consult a pediatrician to determine the cause of the fever and seizure.

Why do children have seizures when they have a fever? 

     A child's brain is delicate. From birth, brain neurons and nerve sheaths continue to develop until the age of 6. Because neurons in young children are highly responsive, a rapid increase in body temperature can trigger a seizure. Additionally, genetics play a role; parents with a history of febrile seizures in childhood may have children who are more susceptible as well.

Severity of Febrile Seizures in Children 

     A significant number of children experience febrile seizures, occurring in about 2-5 out of every 100 children. They are typically found in children aged 3 months to 5 years, and most commonly between 1-2 years old. Most fevers are caused by upper respiratory viral infections or middle ear infections (Otitis Media).

How to prevent recurrent seizures? ? 

     Whenever your child is unwell or has a fever, you should administer fever-reducing medication and sponge them until the fever drops. Paracetamol should always be kept at home. Proper dosage and timing, combined with correct sponging, will help lower the fever. Medication should generally be given every 4 hours. It is crucial not to forget the medication and sponging during the night if the fever persists, as seizures frequently occur during nighttime hours.

Treatment for Febrile Seizures in Children

     Generally, one in three children who have a febrile seizure will have a recurrence, especially those who experience their first seizure within the first year of life. Pediatricians may consider prescribing anticonvulsant medication to prevent future seizures; however, these must be used cautiously under medical guidance. Some children may require continuous anticonvulsant therapy. 

Do febrile seizures affect the brain?

     Parents often ask: Will my child have brain damage? Will they suffer from intellectual disabilities? Can they learn normally? Generally, simple febrile seizures do not cause any long-term brain problems. Once the condition resolves, the child returns to normal development. 
      

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity produced by the brain. Patients with Epilepsy will show abnormal electrical patterns. While an EEG is necessary for all epilepsy patients, it may also be used to diagnose certain cases of febrile seizures, particularly:

• Patients who seize even with a low fever.
• Seizures involving only specific parts of the body (focal seizures).
• Seizures lasting longer than 15 minutes or occurring more than once within the same fever episode.
• Seizures occurring more than 24 hours after the onset of fever.
• Suspected brain abnormalities triggered by fever.

How to prevent recurrent seizures?

     Whenever your child is unwell or has a fever, administer fever-reducing medication every 4 hours and sponge them until the temperature drops. Always keep Paracetamol at home. Additionally, taking turns to monitor the child overnight is vital, as seizures often occur when parents are exhausted and fall asleep during the late-night hours.

Ramkhamhaeng Hospital and our team of pediatricians are ready to help handle the unexpected from the very first second of a seizure. We believe that a deep understanding of the root cause of pain is the "Final Key" that helps unlock life's problems and leads to the solution.

Last Updated:

January 29, 2026