Febrile convulsions in the child: causes, symptoms, first aid

During fever, febrile seizures may occur in the child. This pathological condition, which often accompanies hyperthermia. Unprepared parents, faced with a similar phenomenon, are in a state of shock. But crumb needs urgent help! Delay in this situation is deadly.

What are febrile convulsions?

To provide first aid, it is necessary to understand what you are dealing with. Febrile convulsions in a child are seizures that occur as a result of a high temperature, usually exceeding 38 degrees. This phenomenon is typical for children under 6 years old who have never had any convulsive seizures before.

The treatment of such a condition depends entirely on its duration. If the baby's febrile cramps last no more than 15 minutes, then the baby needs:

• Antipyretic medicine;
• Control over his condition.

Pathology, which lasts longer than the above time, requires therapy with special medications.

Febrile convulsions are observed in children under 6 years old. If a similar phenomenon occurs in children at an older age, then it is necessary to contact a professional doctor. In this case, it is likely that this means the child has epilepsy.

Causes of this condition

Often the question arises: what are the causes of febrile convulsions in children? The reasons that cause such a state have not been fully established to this day.

Doctors came to the conclusion that one of the sources that result in these seizures are:

• Immaturity of the nervous system;
• Insufficient braking power in the brain.

As a result of such undeveloped transmission of excitation between cells leads to the appearance of convulsions. Therefore, this condition is typical only for children under the age of 6 years.

Febrile convulsions occur in babies only against the background of high fever. This state can lead to:

• An ordinary cold;
• ARVI;
• Inoculations;
• teething;
• flu.

Of great importance is the genetic predisposition. If the mother or father has ever had seizures, then it is likely that the baby may face the same phenomenon.

Symptoms of a condition

The first thing to remember: only on the background of hyperthermia can develop febrile convulsions.

Symptoms of this state are easy to recognize:

1. During the heat, the baby has hyperemic skin. Before the attack the child very sharply turns pale. Sometimes the covers become bluish.
2. The baby's body is covered with a sticky cold sweat.
3. The crumb becomes inhibited. He does not respond to the appeal to him. His condition is like a stupor.
4. The beginning of the attack is accompanied by stretching the child's body. A crumb lacks air.
5. The kid throws back his head. Very often it freezes with outstretched limbs.
6. The child can lose consciousness. The eyes of the child roll up, and the teeth are very tightly clamped. Foam appears on the lips.
7. Distinctions of twitching on large muscle tissues. Sometimes limbs freeze in the most relaxed state.
8. The crumbs are turning blue as a result of inadequate breathing.
9. Involuntary release of urine and feces.
10. The duration of the cramp usually ranges from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
11. After the first attack, many children experience repeated seizures.

It is very important to timely stop such a state. The longer the baby continues febrile convulsions, the more dangerous for the immature organism will be the consequences.

Basic views

The febrile convulsions in a child by doctors are not regarded as epilepsy. However, they have external features that are very similar to such a pathology.

The following types of febrile seizures may be observed in a child:

1. Tonic. All the muscles of the body crumbs are greatly strained. The child throws back his head, rolls his eyes. There is a straightening of the legs, bending the handles to the chest. The tension is replaced by involuntary twitches or rhythmic jerks. Gradually they become more rare and completely disappear.
2. Atonic. The baby has an instant relaxation of all the muscle tissues of the body. In this condition, involuntary loss of urine and feces occurs.
3. Local. For this kind of characteristic jerking of the limbs in the baby. The rolling of the eyes is observed.

In any of the types of convulsions, the crumb does not react to words, actions of parents. The baby loses contact with the outside world. He does not cry, turns blue, and in some cases he has a delay in breathing.

First aid

It is obvious that parents are very frightened when they see febrile seizures in children. First aid, competently and timely rendered, is of great importance.

The beginning of an attack can not be stopped. It is necessary to immediately call the "Emergency Care" team. Prior to her arrival, all measures should be taken to protect the crumb from unwanted consequences and various injuries.

So, if the baby's febrile cramps have begun, what to do:

1. Calm down and act confidently.
2. Call the ambulance team.
3. Remove from the child tight clothes, unbutton collar, belt, belt.
4. Move the crumbs to a safe place. The surface must be level. Turn the baby to the left side. This will give you access to the airways of the air.
5. Be sure to remove stiff, dangerous, sharp objects.
6. Fold the handkerchief in a tight bundle and put between the teeth of the child. This will avoid biting the tongue during an attack.
7. Ensure fresh air.

Sometimes an attack can start from a strong crying. In this case, the respiration of the crumb should be restored reflexively. Sprinkle the baby with water, bring ammonia to the nozzle, press on the root of the tongue with a spoon. After this, it is recommended to give the child a sedative. Doctors advise using a tincture of valerian. Dosage is calculated as follows: the number of full years of the child is equal to the number of drops.

First aid to infants

If febrile convulsions are observed in very tiny children, then the parents will need some additional measures.

It is important to ensure the patency of the airways:

1. Cleanse the pharynx, the baby's mouth from food, mucus, vomit. This procedure can be carried out using an electric pump or by mechanical means.
2. Alert the tongue's tongue. To do this, it is recommended to install a vent if there is one. Otherwise, lift the lower jaw from the corners.
3. Turn the head of the babe to one side.

First aid for convulsions accompanied by high fever

Do not forget the heat of the child. Hyperthermia also requires competent and rapid first aid:

1. Undress the baby.
2. Ensure ventilation of the room. In all ways, lower the air temperature in the room.
3. Give crumb an antipyretic preparation. Most preferred in this situation are considered suppositories containing paracetamol.

Apply any methods that allow you to lower body temperature. It can be alcohol, vinegar, water wiping, waving. You can apply cold to the femoral or carotid artery.

Recommended Diagnostics

A child after febrile convulsions experiences a drowsy drowsiness. Most often, kids do not remember what happened to them. They are poorly oriented in space.

If a child has convulsions, then it is necessary to show the child to a neurologist. Only a doctor can exclude possible neurological causes provoking such seizures. In other words, the doctor will be able to confirm that convulsions are not a symptom of a variety of forms of epilepsy.

This will require a number of surveys:

• Spinal puncture (analysis excludes the presence of meningitis and encephalitis);
• Delivery of blood, urine;
• CT or MRI;
• EEG (electroencephalogram).

Treatment of seizures

If the attack lasts no more than 15 minutes or more does not repeat, the baby does not need special therapeutic measures.

It is very important to know that it is only a doctor who can decide whether treatment of febrile seizures in children is necessary!

With prolonged attacks or frequently recurring, the doctor will make the baby an intravenous injection of a special drug. Often children are treated with one of the anticonvulsants:

• "Phenobarbital."
• "Phenytoin."
• Valproic Acid.

Possible consequences

Only in case of prolonged and frequent attacks does the baby need treatment. The decision on the need for therapeutic measures can only be taken by a doctor, a neurologist.

Negative effects of febrile seizures in children are extremely rare, if the necessary assistance was provided in time. Statistics are as follows: only 2% of children who have experienced such seizures are subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy.

So do not forget that the health of your baby is in your hands! No panic! Only calm and immediate reaction to the condition of the baby.