FEBRILE SEIZURES 101: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Maggie Sinclair
11 hours ago
4 min read

At Pregnant and Popped, we believe that informed parents feel more confident, even in moments that feel overwhelming. Few things are as frightening as seeing your child unwell, and febrile seizures are often described by parents as one of the scariest experiences they face in early childhood.

That is why we have invited healthcare professional, certified first aid instructor, owner of First Aid Tuition and mum-of-two Maggie Sinclair to share this practical, reassuring guide for Febrile Seizures: A Guide for Parents. Drawing on her extensive clinical experience and years of first aid education, Maggie explains what febrile seizures are, why they happen, what they can look like, and most importantly, what to do if your child experiences one. This article is designed to give you clarity, calm, and evidence-based guidance when you need it most - because you should not have to Google motherhood in moments of panic.

FEBRILE SEIZURES: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

written by Maggie Sinclair, First Aid Tuition

Seeing your child have a febrile seizure is one of the most frightening experiences a parent can go through. However, it is important to know that while they look scary, they are quite common and usually do not cause any long-term harm.

WHAT IS A FEBRILE SEIZURE?

A febrile seizure is a fit or convulsion triggered by a sudden rise in body temperature (fever).

WHO GETS THEM?

They primarily affect children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. In Singapore, statistics show that about 5% of children will experience at least one febrile seizure.

IS IT EPILEPSY?

No. Most children who have a febrile seizure do not go on to develop epilepsy. It is a temporary reaction of a developing young brain to a fever.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

The seizure isn't caused by the illness itself, but rather by the fever resulting from the illness.

Viral Infections: Common triggers include the flu, the common cold, or Roseola.
The "Spike": Often, it is the speed at which the temperature rises, rather than how high it goes, that triggers the seizure. Sometimes, the seizure is the first sign that the child is even sick.
Genetics: If you or your partner had febrile seizures as a child, your little one is more likely to have them too.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

An episode can last from a few seconds up to several minutes. During a seizure, your child may:

Lose consciousness or become "blacked out."
Have stiffening of the body or rhythmic jerking of the arms and legs.
Have their eyes roll back or fixedly stare.
Experience foaming at the mouth or a change in skin color (turning slightly blue or pale).
May vomit or be incontinent (wet themselves).
The Aftermath: Once the seizure stops, children may be very sleepy, confused, or irritable for up to 30min afterwards.

WHAT TO DO?

If your child starts having a seizure, the most important thing is to stay calm and follow these steps:

The "Do's":

Note the time: Look at your watch to see when it started.
Clear the area: Move hard objects away to prevent injury.
The Recovery Position: During the seizure, if you are able to, gently put your child into the recovery position. This keeps their airway clear and prevents them from choking on saliva or vomit. If you cannot, wait until the seizure ends to place them.
Protect their head: Place your hands or something soft underneath their head.
Loosen clothing: Especially around the neck.

The "Don'ts":

DO NOT put anything in their mouth (they will not swallow their tongue).
DO NOT try to restrain them or stop the jerking.
DO NOT put them in a cold bath or cold sponge them; this can be dangerous during a seizure.

Seek emergency care in hospital or call 995:

If the seizure occurs for the first time.
If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
If your child has difficulty breathing or turns blue.
If they have another seizure within 24 hours.
If they seem unusually drowsy or have a stiff neck long after the seizure has ended.
Do not take your child to hospital if they are still having a seizure or are unconscious, call 995 instead.

Internal References

NHS - Febrile Seizures: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/febrile-seizures/
KK Women's and Children's Hospital - Febrile Fit: https://www.singhealth.com.sg/symptoms-treatments/febrile-fit-childhood-illnesses
NUH- Statistics: https://www.nuh.com.sg/health-resources/diseases-and-conditions/febrile-seizure-children
HealthyChildren(AAP)- Febrile seizures in children: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Febrile-Seizures.aspx?_gl=1*1cd7qjd*_ga*ODMyMTM0MTcxLjE3Njg5MDk4MTI.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3Njg5MDk4MTEkbzEkZzEkdDE3Njg5MDk4MzAkajQxJGwwJGgw

AUTHOR BIO

Maggie Sinclair

With over two decades of experience as a healthcare leader, I am passionate about promoting health and wellness in both professional and personal settings.

My extensive clinical background has seen me serve diverse populations in several countries, including India, Singapore, the US, and UK. I previously engaged in medical evacuations, managed minor injury units for children and adults, and provided telemedicine services. I have also worked in clinical and management training roles both regionally and across APAC, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. I possess a BSc in Nursing, a postgraduate diploma in Global Health & Infectious Diseases, and an HSI First Aid Instructor qualification. Furthermore, as a mother of two daughters, I deeply understand the importance of first aid education and have applied this passion by training families, groups, businesses, and schools throughout Singapore. My professional journey enriches my personal life, instilling in my daughters the importance of health and wellness.

LEARN MORE

Interested to learn more about First Aid training and tuition in Singapore - reach out to Maggie and team.

They deliver first aid courses across Singapore to parents and helpers, equipping them with vital emergency medical skills.

At First Aid Tuition, our team comprises of Certified First Aid and CPR/AED instructors, who are also experienced nurses who have spent countless hours in real-life emergency situations and bring this invaluable hands-on experience to each course.