FEBRILE
S N O I S L U V CON By Malcolm, Med Star Paediatric
W
hen a baby or young child develops a fever, usually due to an infection, their body temperature can rise very quickly, as the part of the brain that controls body temperature (known as the hypothalamus) has not yet fully developed.
they are linked to the start of a fever (a high temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above).
Febrile convulsions (also known as febrile seizures or infantile convulsions), are quite common, affecting about 1 in 20 children most commonly between 6 months and 6 years old. No one knows exactly what causes them in some children and not others, but
Reassuringly, most cases are “simple” febrile convulsions, are not serious, and only last for a few minutes. Almost all children make a complete recovery, but for the child’s parents or carers, febrile convulsions can be very frightening to witness.
10 somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES
Around 1 in 4 children affected by febrile convulsions also have a family history of these episodes.
