Any parent who’s soothed a feverish child knows that sickness can be worrisome.

But it can take an even more frightening turn when a child suffers a febrile seizure, full-body convulsions brought on by a spike in temperature. About 1 in 25 children experience them; of that group, more than a third have them more than once. The incidents occur most frequently in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, but particularly in toddlers.

While experts aren’t certain what causes febrile seizures and why some children are more susceptible, they know that most who experience them have temperatures of 102°F or higher. Certain viruses may raise the risk: Most often, they’re common childhood illnesses, such as a middle ear infection or roseola. Some cases may be the result of a more serious infection, such as meningitis, or may occur during the fever brought on by a childhood immunization.

Although scary, febrile seizures are generally harmless and don’t increase the risk of epilepsy or brain damage. During the seizure, a child can lose consciousness, cry or moan, roll his eyes back in his head, vomit, and shake or twitch. Most seizures end within 15 minutes, but some can last longer or recur multiple times within a 24-hour span. Parents should consult a doctor if a child experiences seizures.

This is hard for a parent to see without panicking, so all parents should learn what to do in case a febrile seizure does occur.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. The word febrile means “ feverish.”
  2. The best way to protect against febrile seizures is to give a sick child plenty of fluids and children’s medication to keep a fever in check.