It is a fairly frightening event for parents but without real gravity: the febrile convulsion of the infant. These attacks can occur in a generally healthy child whose development has been normal.
Infant’s febrile convulsion occurs unexpectedly, most often at the onset of an identifiable disease, or in an inaugural manner. Convulsions can also appear in a febrile context, with a minimum temperature of 38 °, regardless of the cause of the fever with the exception of cerebro-meningeal infections.
How is the crisis manifested?
Infant’s febrile convulsion affects between 2 and 7% of children before the age of 5. It affects both girls and boys, and occurs between the ages of 9 months and 5 years with a maximum incidence peak at 18 months in the context of fever.
In general, the crisis is unique. However, it can repeat itself two or three times during the same episode, which remains unique to it. The seizures last one to five minutes. Beyond 15 minutes they are no longer considered as a simple febrile convulsion, but are said to be “complex”.
How do these feverish crises evolve?
The course of these attacks is mild in 98% of cases, regardless of the clinical picture. The risk of recurrence is 25 to 50% after the first episode, and only 30% after the age of two. In 90% of recurrence cases, it occurs within two years of the first attack (50% of the cases within six months and 75% within the first twelve months).
The risk of developing epilepsy later is controversial. It is globally 1% after a simple febrile convulsion and 10% after a complicated febrile convulsion. It is doubled after a second episode.
What to do if a crisis ever occurs?
Always put the child in the safe position by laying him on his side, his head slightly lower than the body (so without a pillow), so as to free his airways in case of vomiting. It is advisable to find out, due to hyperthermia, and finally monitor the development of the crisis. Administration of Valium® (Diazepam) is indicated if the attack continues for more than 5 minutes or is repeated.
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