[Corolla]

I read in the past about a few children on this forum having seizures due to high fevers. Any children have more than one seizure?

Jadyn had a seizure on Saturday night. Her temperature got to 104.2F. It was traumatic to say the least. Thank goodness for 911 and EMTs! I'm hoping she never has another one. I also read that febrile seizures can be genetic. It brings home the fact we have no medical background on the birth families <sigh>

[Kesti]

Our daughter had one the week after we brought her home so we understand. She has not had another one yet thank goodness. We thought she may have but it turned out it was not a seizure.

[capt911k]

I spent 6+ years as a military medic and ran an ambulance. So with my limited knowledge... here is a partial answer....

Seizures in small children / infants / toddlers are often caused by high fevers. This not an uncommon side affect or result of a high fever.

IT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN though!!!!!!!

If your child gets a fever....say 100+ you really need to be thinking of seeking medical care. Quite often these things are easily taken care of by a dotors office, but its not a bad idea to be seen in an urgent care or an Emergency Room. At the very least you need to call and talk with your medical provider, most have a medical help desk that answers phone questions.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR LITTLE ONE IS HAVING A SEIZURE AND OR A HIGH FEVER TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION!!!!!!!

Please don't take this advise all the final statment ofall the information thats out there. Talk with you Doctor be informed....


Hope that this helps and that I did not rant too much!!!!!

[doghouse]

As I recall, febrile seizures are caused by how fast the body temperature rises.

[linda512]

Febrile seizures are related to the rate of rise of temperature and can recur, but most of the time they are brief, self-limited and benign. You should call 911 if your child has one, but most likely the seizure will stop on its own and will not cause brain damage. If your child has what is called complicated febrile seizures (lasts longer or other things) your doctor may want to put him on medication.
A seizure is a very scary thing to watch, but does not cause brain damage unless it is very prolonged.

[apetry26]

Just to reiterate what Linda just posted. A febrile seizure mostly happens when the temperature is rising, not usually after it has peaked- Being a nurse, I've seen febrile seizures in many children, and they are scary for the parent to watch, but the most important thing is to protect the child during the seizure and call EMS for help. They are mostly self-limiting (they last for a short while) and usually do not cause residual brain damage... But as everyone else stated, call your child's care provider and have him/her seen ASAP-

[Kesti]

With our duaugher, we have to keep a close eye on her tempetures to keep them down. With her, her chubby cheeks are telling, they turn bright red when she even gets a slight temperture which helps us to manage the temperture with Motrin and/or Tylenol.

[moelladeville]

Oh, Corolla -- Hugs to you. Febrile seizures are sooooooo scary. I can tell you that Jackson had a febrile seizure on our PICK UP TRIP for Cole! On the first night in the Casa Santo Domingo. He had been hot, because it was hot in Guate, so I didn't pay much attention. He was fine at dinner, then kept waking up crying. At one point, I brought him into my bed, and he was shivering. That's when I knew something wrong. I called the concierge, and said get a doctor here right away. I began to give him lukewarm baths and tried to keep him comfortable. They got a doctor there within half an hour (it was 2am) and he started to seize right when the doctor got there. All I can say is that someone was looking out for me from above, because if I had had to face that alone -- either in Guate or the US, I would have about died. I have never been so scared in my life.

That said, I learned a lot of what's already been discussed along with the fact that 50% of children who have febrile seizures have another one and that they usually stop after age 5. Jackson just had his third birthday, and I can tell you I'm going to heave a sigh of relief at his 5th birthday party.

In the meantime, if there is even any HINT of a fever, I admit I give him Tylenol or Motrin. I have probably 16 different bottles of fever reducer around the house. In the two times since the seizure trip that he's come with me to Guate, I had practically a whole suitcase of fever reducers. I admit it, I'm paranoid. But I knew it was really getting bad when Jackson started going around feeling all his friends' heads and asking if they were hot! We also have several thermometers at the ready in case there may be a sign of a hint of a glimmer of a fever. So far, knock wood, there hasn't been a second.

Again, so sorry you had this scary, scary experience!

[Corolla]

Thank Marjorie! I was alone when Jadyn had her seizure. I tend to be very calm under stressful situations but watching my child, well, that's a different story. I held it together for the most part. The seizure lasted less than 2 minutes. The sound Jadyn made during the seizure was most traumatizing for me. I couldn't tell if she was gasping for air. I must admit I'm always checking her temperature now. And yes, bottles of fever reducer are everywhere. Jadyn is only 14 months old....ugh! 4 years to go

[eclecticgirl]

I just wanted to say that I feel for anyone who has had to watch their child endure a seizure! What a scary thought. One of our dogs, Sammy, has epilepsy and I know how helpless I feel when he is seizing. Knowing the depth of the love I have for him and the depth of the love I already have for our future child (which is sure to grow and grow! :-) ), my goodness it is just a scary thought to me!

Anyway, I'm not adding much to the medical part of the discussion but I did just want to express my empathy and admiration for the moms and dads who have gone through this with their children.

Trish

[bjmom]

Our younger son had a febrile seizure 2 years ago when he was 4. I was terrified. He lost consciousness for several seconds. We called an ambulance and went to the hospital. The thing I remember most clearly about it was my older son (then 7) crying "I don't want Jeffrey to die." I've even reminded him of that whenever he gets mad at him and says he wishes he didn't have a brother.

Also, Jeffrey was exhausted after his seizure and fell into a deep sleep. That's not unusual, according to our pediatrician.

[brink]

Our daughter, now 19, had a febral seizure at 11mo. She had ear infection in both ears and we later learned roseola. Her temp was 105. We were visiting relatives. Ambulance, hospital, dr mentioning possible menegitis, all very scary! She has never had another, though I was watchful of any fevers. Check with your dr about DPT shots. I assumed since her seizure was fever related, she could still have the pertussis in her vaccine. The question on the form just asks if they've ever had a seizure related to vaccines. Our dr/county health nurses only gave her the diptheria and tetnus and left out the pertussis from them on. Not sure if this was the correct choice, but ask if your child is scheduled for DPT shots...tell them about the seizure so they can make the best choice.

[Amykk]

How scary - it is something I always worry about since JJ has had a couple of high temps since being home. Luckily we haven't had experience with seizures. I hope Jadyn is feeling better.

[wvamom]

I'm sorry you had to deal with a febrile seizure alone--how scary! My nephew had one when he was 18 months old and with a babysitter-she called 911, thankfully, and my brother and SIL raced home from dinner. He was fine and hasn't had one since. I hope that Jadyn follows the same pattern.

Carolyn

[Carlee1boy]

Oh, I am thinking about you. Jadyn will be just fine, but I worry about MOM!

My mother has seizures, and even knowing what they are, what causes it and what to expect during an episode doesn't take away the panic I feel when it happens.

Truly I hope it doesn't happen again.

Carolyn