Febrile Seizures in Children
What are febrile seizures? Also known as fever seizures, they are considered more of a genetic disorder, though neither a specific location inside the genes nor a specific pattern of inheritance has been determined.
The actual mode of inheritance is likely to vary between families and may be predisposed.
It is less common, but not out of the question for a child who is in the throws of a fever one to become rigid or have twitches in a single area of the body.
Most febrile seizures in children only last a minute or two and some can be as brief as a few seconds.
However, others can last for more than fifteen minutes.
Febrile seizures typically occur in children between the ages of six months and five years of age and are particularly common in toddlers.
The most frightening moment for a parent can be witnessing a childhood seizure.
Many parents are afraid that their child will have brain damage or even die.
It is a relief for them to know that these ones are harmless.
There is absolutely no evidence that simple febrile seizures in children cause death, epilepsy, brain damage, mental retardation, a decreased IQ or even learning difficulties.
To stop seizures associated with a fever, it isn't necessary to lower the child's body temperature, since they occur due to rapid changes in temp, not the actual temperature.
Don't try to give your child any type of fever reducing medications during one and don't place him or her in a cooling tub of water.
It's much safer, practical and comfortable for your child to remain lying on the floor or a bed.
Typically, most fever seizures stop on their own within a few minutes.
If your child has one that lasts more than five minutes or if he or she experiences repeated ones, then call for emergency medical attention.
During one, don't try to force anything into your child's mouth to prevent him or her from biting their tongue, since this increases the risk of injury.
Febrile seizures in children sometimes begin with a sudden and sustained contraction of muscles on both sides of the body and it is usually the muscles of the face, arms, legs and trunk that are affected.
In some instances, an involuntary moan or cry can be heard from the child, and this is usually from the force of the muscle contraction.
The contraction may continue for a seemingly endless amount of time, yet eventually the sustained contraction will be broken by repeated brief moments of relaxation.
The actual mode of inheritance is likely to vary between families and may be predisposed.
It is less common, but not out of the question for a child who is in the throws of a fever one to become rigid or have twitches in a single area of the body.
Most febrile seizures in children only last a minute or two and some can be as brief as a few seconds.
However, others can last for more than fifteen minutes.
Febrile seizures typically occur in children between the ages of six months and five years of age and are particularly common in toddlers.
The most frightening moment for a parent can be witnessing a childhood seizure.
Many parents are afraid that their child will have brain damage or even die.
It is a relief for them to know that these ones are harmless.
There is absolutely no evidence that simple febrile seizures in children cause death, epilepsy, brain damage, mental retardation, a decreased IQ or even learning difficulties.
To stop seizures associated with a fever, it isn't necessary to lower the child's body temperature, since they occur due to rapid changes in temp, not the actual temperature.
Don't try to give your child any type of fever reducing medications during one and don't place him or her in a cooling tub of water.
It's much safer, practical and comfortable for your child to remain lying on the floor or a bed.
Typically, most fever seizures stop on their own within a few minutes.
If your child has one that lasts more than five minutes or if he or she experiences repeated ones, then call for emergency medical attention.
During one, don't try to force anything into your child's mouth to prevent him or her from biting their tongue, since this increases the risk of injury.
Febrile seizures in children sometimes begin with a sudden and sustained contraction of muscles on both sides of the body and it is usually the muscles of the face, arms, legs and trunk that are affected.
In some instances, an involuntary moan or cry can be heard from the child, and this is usually from the force of the muscle contraction.
The contraction may continue for a seemingly endless amount of time, yet eventually the sustained contraction will be broken by repeated brief moments of relaxation.
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