Febrile Seizures in Children (ภาวะไข้ชักในเด็ก)

A febrile seizure is a condition that no parent should overlook. It involves a seizure triggered by a high fever and is most commonly found in children aged 6 months to 5 years. During an episode, a child may experience full-body stiffness (tonic) or stiffness combined with rhythmic jerking (clonic-tonic) while having a fever.

Many parents often mistake febrile seizures for epilepsy. In reality, a febrile seizure is not a chronic disease nor a permanent condition that will persist into adulthood. Unlike epilepsy, it does not typically require long-term daily medication to control symptoms.

How can you prevent a febrile seizure when your little one has a high fever? Let’s find out together.

First Aid: What to Do During a Seizure

If your child begins to seize, the most important thing is to stay calm and follow these steps:

Ensure Safety: Place the child on a flat, soft surface away from hard or sharp objects.
Airway Protection: Turn the child onto their side to prevent choking on saliva or vomit.
Do Not Restrain: Do not try to hold the child down or stop their movements.
The "Golden Rule": NEVER put anything in the child's mouth (fingers, spoons, or medicine). This can cause dental injury or airway obstruction.
Time the Seizure: Most febrile seizures last less than 5 minutes. If it lasts longer, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Prevention and Fever Management

Temperature Monitoring: Frequently check your child's temperature when they are ill.
Tepid Sponging: Use a towel soaked in room-temperature water to wipe the neck, armpits, and groin areas. This is often more effective at lowering temperature quickly than medicine alone.
Medication: Administer fever-reducing medication (Paracetamol) as prescribed by your pediatrician every 4–6 hours.
Hydration: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water or electrolyte fluids.

If it is your child's first seizure, or if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, you should always take them to the hospital for a full evaluation to rule out other infections, such as meningitis.