Febrile

Seizures
NCM 109 MATERNAL AND CHILD
Acute and Chronic

P R E S E N T E D B Y : R I A H T . B I L L A N E S B S N 2 C
Content
O1 DEFINITION
O2 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
O3 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
O4 TREATMENTS
Medical, Surgical, Pharmacological

O5 NURSING INTERVENTION
01 Febrile seizures are a type of seizure that can affect
otherwise healthy children around the time they have a
fever. Seizures can involve stiffening or shaking part of the
body or the whole body.

WHEN DO FEBRILE SEIZURES OCCUR?

3 or 4 out of every 100 children. They can occur between 6
months and 6 years of age, but most often around 12 to 18
months old.
Fevers of 102°F (38.9°C) or above, it can also happen with milder
fevers.

DEFINITION
Are there certain illnesses that
cause febrile seizures?
Febrile seizures can happen with any condition that causes a fever, such as
common colds, the flu, ear infections, or roseola.
They can also happen if the child experiences heat-related illness such as heat
stroke when there is a rise in core body temperature, in worse cases the
occurrence of meningitis. Febrile seizures usually happen only once during any
given illness, often with the first fever spike.
02
HHV 6
H1N1
Vaccination (MMR, DTAP)

6 months- 6 y.o
Family History

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 CLINICAL FEATURES
SIMPLE COMPLEX
SEIZURES SEIZURES
Focal type
Generalized type
Unilateral
Both Cerebral
- Tonic
Hemispheres
- Clonic
Tonic-Clonic
- Atomic
Seizures
<15 mins & 1 - Myoclonic
seizure in 24 hrs. >15 mins and more
than 1 seizures
within 24 hrs
03
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Twitching or jerking of arms and legs
Breathing difficulty
Foaming at the mouth
Pale or bluish in skin colour
Eye rolling
Child may take 10 to 15 minutes to wake up properly
afterwards.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

03
Seizures usually last less than one or two minutes but, although uncommon,
can last longer. A seizure longer than 5 minutes is usually a medical emergency
and requires urgent treatment to stop the seizure.
One in every 20 children will have one or more febrile seizures. A febrile seizure
is not epilepsy and does not cause brain damage.
Around 30% of babies and children who have had one febrile convulsion will
have another.
Most children out-grow febrile seizures by the time they get to school age. Only
a very small number of children who have febrile seizures will go on to develop
epilepsy.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

DIAGNOSIS
Physical Examination
Urine Analysis
EEG
Lumbar Puncture

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
Dural Lacerations and Cyst Debridement
have an advantage in the treatment of meningitis complicated
with pseudomeningocele, wound infection, or CSF leakage.
PHARMACOLOGICAL
In general, doctors do not recommend treatment of a simple febrile seizure with preventive
medicines. However, it mainly prescribe medication to reduce fever hence minimizing the
occurrence of seizures.

NSAIDS (ibuprofen). block a specific enzyme called cyclooxygenase (or COX)

used by the body to make prostaglandins. By reducing production of
prostaglandins, NSAIDs help relieve the discomfort of fever and reduce
inflammation and the associated pain.

Antipyretic (Acetaminophen). It reduces fever through its action on the heat-

regulating center of the brain.

MANAGEMENT
NURSING DIAGNOSIS
Hyperthermia r/t increased metabolic rate

Ineffective tissue perfusion r/t failure to nourish the tissues

at the capillary level.

Risk for aspiration r/t altered airway clearance

Risk for injury r/t loss of muscle control

NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Assess for vital signs especially changes in temperature. Flushed face with skin that is hot to touch,
weakness, fatigue, headache, and abnormal vital signs are possible indicators of hyperthermia.
Monitor neurological status. Note the level of consciousness, orientation, pupil reaction, and any
posturing. Confusion and delirium may occur as the condition worsens.
Ensure a patent airway. Turn the patient into their side if lying to maintain an open airway and
prevent aspirating. Loosen clothing around the neck. Do not place any objects in the mouth. Apply
oxygen if the patient displays respiratory distress.
Do not restrain, monitor closely. A patient who is actively seizing should never be restrained as this
can further increase injury. Keep them safe by providing pillows or padding if on a hard surface.
Patients in the hospital often have their bed rails padded and a mat on the floor.
Instruct on activities that require additional precautions. A seizure can occur at any moment. Working
at heights, swimming unattended, using heavy machinery or power tools, and even driving can be
dangerous for a patient, especially if their seizures are not controlled.
THANK YOU
 REFERENCE
Giovine M. & Catenaccio E. (2022). Febrile Seizures in Childre. Healthy Children
Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-
issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Febrile-Seizures.aspx?
fbclid=IwAR0c9WlXlUiVqVsSjo2sMyiROpmTKLPR5Fl0ubB466ZAoWFzzK0MxxuoBN4

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (2021). Fever - Febrile Convulsions. Retrieved from:
https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/febrile-convulsion-factsheet