children s health issues
Febrile Seizures
Prevention of Febrile Seizures
If children have had a febrile seizure, parents should watch for and treat high fevers, which can trigger a seizure. However, a febrile seizure often occurs early in the course of the fever, as the child's temperature increases, or before parents know that the child is ill and recognize the fever. Medications to prevent additional seizures (antiseizure medications—see sidebar Using Drugs to Treat Seizures in Children ) are usually not given to children who have had only a few simple febrile seizures. However, antiseizure medications may be given to children who have any of the following: Complex febrile seizures and neurologic problems (such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) or abnormal brain imaging results) A strong family history of epilepsy and recurring simple or complex febrile seizures Febrile status epilepticus More than 4 febrile seizures per year If children who have had a long febrile seizure have a subsequent seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, doctors may give a prescription fordiazepamgel to be put into the rectum. Children can be treated with this medication at home. 