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Infantile Convulsions (febrile
convulsions)
When a child has an very high fever from
an infection, the body temperature rises to the point where the child's temperature
regulation mechanism can't cope. At this point, the child convulses.
The convulsions only lasts a few minutes, and in general, they have no lasting effect on
the child.
It's common in children from six months to four years. The child should be assessed by a
doctor.
Signs and Symptoms
- Recent history of infection
- Child is usually quiet, appears sick
- Pale, flushed, hot skin
- Eyes 'roll back' in the child
- Child begins convulsing
- Salivary drool
- Cyanosed (blue) due to absent breathing.
After a couple of minutes the child
begins breathing again. The child will start crying. When the child is convulsing it
cannot breathe, but as the convulsions subside, the child begins breathing spontaneously.
Treatment:
- Stay calm
- Put the child in a side position while
fitting
- Remove the child's clothing
- Sponge down with tepid water or a use fan
to assist cooling the child. Don't make the child too cold.
- Assess the child's breathing
on recovery.
- If the child is not breathing, start resuscitation
measures.
- Get medical assistance now; dial your
local emergency services number.
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