Febrile seizures

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Central nervous system

Grand mal seizure

Seizure - fever induced

To prevent future febrile seizures, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the first sign of a fever. (You may want to keep acetaminophen suppositories on hand). Then sponge your child with lukewarm water. Give him cool liquids to drink -- both to lower the temperature and keep him well hydrated.

Because febrile seizures can occur as the first sign of illness, prevention is often not possible. Neither an initial nor recurrent febrile seizure suggests that your child is not being properly cared for.

Occasionally, a physician will prescribe diazepam to prevent or treat recurrent febrile seizures. However, parents must recognize that no medication is completely effective in preventing febrile seizures.

Zupanc M. The first seizure in childhood: Don’t just do something, stand there! Neurology. 2005; 64(5): 774-775.

Warren CR. Evaluation and management of febrile seizures in the out-of-hospital and emergency department settings. Ann Emerg Med. 2003; 41(2): 215-222.

Jankowiak J. Seizures in children with fever: Generally good outcome. Neurology. 2003; 60(2): E1-2.

Review Date: 08/23/2005
Reviewed By: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.