Counseling -- Febrile convulsions.
Introduction:
I know Mrs. Smith that was a very frightening experience for you. You may even have thought that your child was dead or dying. Many parents think that when they first see a febrile convulsion. However febrile convulsions are not as serious as they look.
It is an attack brought on by fever in a child usually aged between 6 months and 4 or 5 years. A convulsion is an attack in which the person becomes unconscious and usually stiff, with jerking of the arms and legs. It is caused by a storm of electrical activity of the brain. The words convulsions, fit and seizure mean the same thing.
Prevention of Febrile convulsions: If your child is having fever, you can take the temperature by placing the bulb of the thermometer under his armpit for 3 minutes with his arm held against his side. Keep him cool. Don't over clothe him or over heat the room. Give plenty of fluids to drink. Give children's paracetamol medicine to get his temperature down. If he seams ill or has earache or sore throat, let your doctor see him in case he needs any other treatment such as antibiotics.
When your child is fitting you should lay him flat on his side, with his head at the same level or slightly lower than his body. Note the time and wait for the fit to stop. It is not necessary to do anything else. We will give a medicine to insert into your child's bottom. This is called rectal diazepam. If the fit carries for more than 5 minutes give rectal diazepam. This should stop the fit in 10 minutes. If it doesn't bring him up to the hospital or dial 999 if necessary. In any event let your doctor what has happened.
The child doesn't suffer discomfort or pain during a convulsion. The child is unconscious and unaware of what is happening. The convulsion is much more disturbing to you than the child.
Mrs. Smith if you have any doubts please don't hesitate to ask.
Other points:
Incidence: 1 in 30 will have one by the age of 5 years. The risk of having another gets rapidly less after the age of 3 years.
It is not epilepsy. 99 out of 100 children with febrile convulsion never have convulsion after they reach school age, and never have fits without fever.
Febrile convulsions lasting less than 30 minutes will never cause permanent brain damage.