Witnessing a seizure in your child is one of the most terrifying experiences a parent can face. If it occurs with a high fever, it is most likely a febrile seizure. While this may seem alarming, in most cases, this type of seizure is harmless and leaves no lasting effects. Understanding what a febrile seizure is, how to react in the moment, and when to consult a doctor will help you remain calm and reassured if this happens to your child.
What Is a Febrile Seizure?
A febrile seizure is a convulsion triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature, typically above 38°C, in a child who does not have epilepsy or any underlying neurological condition. They most commonly occur in children between six months and five years of age, with peak incidence around eighteen months to two years.
Febrile seizures are more common than many parents realise; they affect approximately one in twenty-five children. They tend to run in families, so if you or your partner had febrile seizures as a child, your child has a higher chance of experiencing one.
Types of Febrile Seizures
Simple febrile seizures are the most common type. They last less than fifteen minutes, involve the whole body (the child stiffens and trembles), and do not recur during the same illness. The child may briefly lose consciousness and be drowsy and confused afterward; this is normal and is called the postictal phase.
Complex febrile seizures last longer than fifteen minutes, affect only one side or one part of the body, or occur more than once within twenty-four hours. These require immediate medical assessment.
What Causes the Fever?
The fever itself, not the temperature, is what triggers the seizure. Common causes in children in the UAE include viral upper respiratory infections, ear infections, roseola (a common childhood viral illness), tonsillitis, and the immune response following vaccinations. Staying up to date with your child’s immunisation schedule reduces the frequency of some fever-causing infections. Our childhood vaccination schedule UAE guide is a useful reference for parents.
What to Do During a Febrile Seizure
The most important thing is to stay as calm as possible. Here is what to do:
Do: Place your child on their side in the recovery position on a flat, safe surface. This prevents choking if they vomit. Time the seizure from the moment it begins. Stay with your child throughout. Loosen any tight clothing around their neck. Speak calmly and reassuringly, even if they seem unresponsive.
Do not: Do not put anything in your child’s mouth. It is dangerous and unnecessary. Limit your child’s movements. Do not immerse them in a cold bath or apply ice to reduce fever during the attack. Do not give them any medication during the attack.
When to Call Emergency Services
Call 999 immediately if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes and shows no sign of stopping, if your child does not regain consciousness after the seizure ends, if this is the first seizure your child has ever had, if the seizure affects only one side of the body, if your child has difficulty breathing during or after, or if you are uncertain whether this is a febrile seizure or something else.
Even if the seizure resolves on its own, your child should be seen by a paediatrician on the same day for assessment and to identify and treat the underlying cause of the fever.
After the Seizure: What to Expect
Most children are drowsy and confused for up to an hour after a febrile seizure; this is completely normal. Once they are alert and comfortable, focus on treating the fever with appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen dosing as advised by your paediatrician, keeping them well hydrated, and monitoring their recovery.
For guidance on keeping your child hydrated during illness, our article on the best ways to keep kids hydrated this summer covers practical strategies that apply year-round.
Will It Happen Again?
Approximately one in three children who have a febrile seizure will have another one during a subsequent fever. The risk is higher if the first seizure occurred before eighteen months of age, if the fever was relatively low at the time of the seizure, or if there is a strong family history. Having recurrent febrile seizures does not mean your child has epilepsy; the two conditions are distinct.
Do Febrile Seizures Cause Brain Damage?
Simple febrile seizures do not cause brain damage, affect intelligence, or increase the risk of epilepsy in children who were previously healthy. This is one of the most important reassurances a paediatrician can offer parents after a first episode. Research consistently shows that children who experience simple febrile seizures develop entirely normally.
Conclusion
A febrile seizure is a terrifying experience in the moment, but for most children, it is a single event with no lasting consequences. The key is knowing what to do, knowing when to call for help, and following up promptly with your pediatrician.
If your child has had a febrile seizure or you have any concerns about their neurological development, book a paediatric consultation with Dr Olfa Koobar today.
