Febrile Seizures: Concerns for a 7-Year-Old Child

Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle contractions that occur during or after intense physical activity in hot weather. They are often associated with dehydration and electrolyte imbalances,

When my daughter was 3 years old, she had a fever that caused febrile seizures, and she was hospitalized for 5 days.
The doctor mentioned that as long as she passed the age of 6, she should improve.
However, she turned 7 this year and had a recurrence two days ago.
We later went to the hospital for an EEG, and the doctor said her brain waves were not quite normal, indicating that this time it was not caused by febrile seizures, and she needs to take medication.
We are to return for a follow-up in 1 to 2 months.
However, my daughter often has trouble sleeping and frequently wakes up crying after taking the medication at night.
I would like to ask the doctor: 1.
Is this related to the medication? 2.
Will she not have febrile seizures after the age of 6? 3.
What would be the best way to treat this condition? Thank you.

Mr. Jiang, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2001/03/28

Dr. Zhao Yongkang reply Pediatrics

Dear Mr.
Jiang,
Heat cramps are generally benign, and children typically develop and function normally.
They usually occur between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, with the highest incidence between 1 and 2 years of age.
If episodes persist beyond the age of 6, a more thorough evaluation should be conducted.
If you have any questions, please visit Dr.
Su Yu-Hsien's pediatric neurology specialty clinic on Tuesday or Friday afternoons to discuss with the physician.
Thank you for your letter.
Wishing you peace and health.
Sincerely,
Dr.
Zhao Yong-Kang
Chief of Pediatrics

Reply Date: 2001/03/28

More Info

Febrile seizures, or fever-induced seizures, are relatively common in young children, particularly between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. They occur in response to a rapid increase in body temperature, often due to infections. In your case, your daughter experienced a febrile seizure at the age of 3, which is not uncommon. However, the recurrence of seizures at the age of 7, especially when the EEG (electroencephalogram) results are abnormal, raises some important concerns that need to be addressed.

1. Is the child's sleep disturbance related to the medication?
It's possible that the medication prescribed for your daughter's condition could be contributing to her sleep disturbances. Many antiepileptic drugs can have side effects that include drowsiness, irritability, and changes in sleep patterns. If your daughter is waking up frequently and crying, it may be worth discussing these symptoms with her healthcare provider. They may consider adjusting the dosage or switching to a different medication that may have fewer side effects. It's essential to monitor her behavior and report any significant changes to her doctor.

2. Will she stop having febrile seizures after the age of 6?
While many children do outgrow febrile seizures by the time they reach school age, this is not a guarantee for every child. The fact that your daughter had a seizure after the age of 6 suggests that her condition may be more complex than typical febrile seizures. The abnormal EEG findings indicate that there may be an underlying issue that needs further investigation. It's crucial to follow up with her neurologist and adhere to the treatment plan they recommend. They may suggest additional tests or monitoring to better understand her condition.

3. What is the best way to treat her condition?
Treatment for seizures, especially when they are recurrent and not solely febrile in nature, typically involves medication management. The specific treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of the seizures, which may require further evaluation. In some cases, a neurologist may recommend a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, or even dietary modifications (like the ketogenic diet) to help manage seizures.
In addition to medication, it's essential to create a supportive environment for your daughter. This includes ensuring she gets adequate sleep, managing stress, and avoiding known triggers that could lead to fever or illness. Regular follow-ups with her healthcare provider are crucial to monitor her progress and adjust treatment as necessary.

In summary, while febrile seizures are often outgrown, the recurrence of seizures and abnormal EEG findings in your daughter necessitate a thorough evaluation by a specialist. It's essential to maintain open communication with her healthcare team regarding her symptoms and treatment response. This will help ensure that she receives the best possible care and support for her condition.

Similar Q&A

Differentiating Between Febrile Seizures and Epilepsy in Children

When my daughter was 3 years old, she experienced a fever that led to a febrile seizure, resulting in a 5-day hospitalization. Since then, she had not experienced any more febrile seizures. However, now that she is 7 years old, she has had another seizure. This time, after an EEG...

Dr. Huang Yingzhe reply Neurology
Epilepsy and febrile seizures are certainly different. Febrile seizures occur in children aged 6 months to 6 years. As the name suggests, they are preceded by a fever, which then leads to the seizure. Therefore, her recent episode is not a febrile seizure. However, if there is an...

Managing Febrile Seizures in Young Children: Key Considerations

A 2-year and 7-month-old girl experienced her first febrile seizure three days after attending kindergarten, following an enterovirus infection (at that time she was 2 years and 5 months old). She was hospitalized for five days in the emergency department. Two days after discharg...

Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello, 1. If the child has experienced heat cramps twice, and the EEG is normal with normal development, we can choose to observe. In the future, if there is a fever, we should manage it actively. 2. The duration of antibiotic treatment is fixed and depends on the type of inf...

Understanding Seizures in Children: Symptoms and Concerns for Parents

Hello Dr. Hsiao, my son had a febrile seizure before he turned one. A month later, without any fever, he had four seizures over three consecutive days, each lasting about 30 seconds (he had a cold for about a week at that time). We conducted EEG and encephalitis tests; the enceph...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
1. Common cramps may be accompanied by loss of consciousness and a vacant stare, but your child's symptoms do not resemble this. 2. The classification of epilepsy is quite complex; there can be generalized seizures at times and only focal seizures at other times. 3. An elect...

Concerns About Severe Symptoms in a 7-Year-Old: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation

My seven-year-old daughter is currently in kindergarten and recently experienced a high fever exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for four consecutive days. She developed a rash on her face and torso, severe abdominal pain, and a significant decrease in appetite, refusing to eat. Additi...

Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: The patient has had a high fever exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for four consecutive days, with the appearance of rashes on the face and torso, poor appetite, and lethargy. During the blood draw, the patient was unusually quiet and did not cry or fuss at all. The white blood...