Your child's eyes rolling back, their body stiffening, and turning blue... A febrile seizure is one of the most frightening moments a parent can experience. But know that a simple febrile convulsion, despite how it looks, is usually harmless and occurs in about one in every 25-30 children aged 6 months to 6 years.

Symptoms

  • It usually occurs in the first hours when the fever is rising rapidly
  • Loss of consciousness, rhythmic stiffening of the arms and legs, eyes rolling back
  • There may be a bluish discoloration of the lips and loss of bladder control
  • Simple type: lasts less than 5 minutes, involves the whole body, and does not recur within 24 hours

6 Steps During a Seizure

  1. Stay calm and note the time. The duration is the most important piece of information for the physician.
  2. Lay the child on their side — this prevents vomit from entering the airway.
  3. Move away any hard or sharp objects nearby and place something soft under their head.
  4. Do not put anything in their mouth, do not give water or medication, and do not hold them down tightly.
  5. Loosen their clothing.
  6. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or the bluish color deepens, call emergency services (112).

After the Seizure

A period of drowsiness after the seizure is normal. A first seizure should always be evaluated by a physician — the aim is to rule out serious causes such as meningitis. For fever management: How to Reduce Fever in Babies?

Can It Be Prevented?

It has been shown that the regular use of fever reducers does not definitively prevent seizures, because the seizure often occurs during the rapid rise of the fever before it is even noticed. Even so, close monitoring and providing comfort during a feverish period are important.

📅 If your child has had a seizure, book an appointment for an evaluation

This content is for informational purposes only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment. — Uzm. Dr. Hasan Keleş