Cramps in a child at high temperature (the so-called febrile convulsions) occur in pre-school children with severe colds or viral infections. To epileptic seizures such disorders do not have a relationship, but it is necessary to treat them with special attention.
Febrile convulsions in children - what is it?
Frightening parents cramps at a child's temperature start in about 5% of cases of severe colds in children up to 6-7 years old, the highest frequency of seizures is fixed from 6 months to 3 years. There are no exact data on the nature of this phenomenon, however, they consider short-term isolated seizures to be safe, stopping after reducing the heat and recovery of the child.
Cramps in a child at high temperature are typical and atypical. Typical seizures occur no more than once a day, last up to 5 minutes, the convulsive process includes the entire body of the child, and he loses consciousness. Atypical seizures are characterized by a longer duration (up to 15 minutes) and more frequent repetitions, seizures in such seizures cover only part of the body.
At what temperature do convulsions appear?
Excruciating febrile convulsions in children occur at a heat above 38 degrees. The cause of hyperthermia, because of which there are febrile convulsions, can be:
- cold;
- otitis;
- angina ;
- flu;
- pneumonia;
- infectious diseases;
- Neuroinfection;
- meningitis;
- diabetes;
- routine vaccination;
- allergic reaction;
- teething .
What are the febrile convulsions dangerous?
Periodically occurring febrile seizures in children are considered harmless if they do not manifest after the disease and later in the 6-7 year old age. Otherwise, the child requires examination and treatment, appointed by the neurologist. Dangerous seizures are accompanied by a predisposition to epilepsy - the disease develops in about 2% of babies suffering from febrile seizures.
Cramps at a child's temperature - the consequences of improper care:
- choking of vomit masses, getting them into the respiratory tract (to minimize this effect, you need to put the child on its side);
- bruise (in the midst of an attack, it is necessary to protect the baby so that he does not hit the limbs or head).
Febrile convulsions - causes
Absolutely reliable explanation why the child has convulsions at a temperature, doctors do not, but there are several possible causes of convulsive seizures:
- Unfinished development of the nervous system. In childhood, the period of maturation of the organs of the nervous system is not yet complete, so the excitation processes are often much stronger than the processes of inhibition. For this reason, convulsions occur.
- Heredity. If one of the relatives had febrile convulsions as a child, they may be in the child. Suffer from attacks can and the kid in which family there are cases of an epilepsy.
- Factors of predisposition. Such factors include cerebral palsy, birth trauma, metabolic and nervous system disorders, heart disease, intoxication.
How does the child's seizures appear at a temperature?
Febrile convulsions at high temperature in a child come in three forms:
- tonic - with this type of attack, all muscles tighten (muscle tone), hands clenching to the chest, legs stretched, the head thrown back, cramps occur rhythmically and gradually subsiding;
- Atonic - with a fit in the child there is complete relaxation of the muscles (often the bladder and intestines relax);
- local - similar to a nervous tic spasms, with such an attack only the lower or upper limbs are affected, the eyes roll up.
How do convulsions look like at a child's temperature:
- He loses consciousness or grows out to react to the environment, cry.
- The child can stop breathing, turn blue.
- Seizures can begin in a dream - if the child can not wake up, it's them.
- Convulsive spasms are very strong, bending the child's body, and weak, like jerking.
Cramps at a child's temperature - what to do?
If a small child has ever had seizures at a temperature or is predisposed to them, it is necessary to know the sequence of the main actions during an attack and be able to provide first aid. In the future, all steps should be taken to treat and prevent seizures, and to cure the disease, which was the "catalyst" for the onset of an attack.
Febrile convulsions in children - first aid
Urgent emergency first aid for febrile convulsions is necessary for a child, and most likely parents will have to provide it.
Febrile convulsions in children - emergency help:
- Call the doctor. Since the convulsive syndrome can indicate the most serious diseases, urgent medical examination is necessary.
- Providing a comfortable and safe position. The child should be laid on a flat surface, to ensure free breathing (remove tight clothing) and the influx of air. When nausea, the child should be rotated so that the masses flow freely. If the fever has not been used before the attack, enter it in the form of a candle.
- Monitoring the state of the child. Before the arrival of a doctor, you should monitor the condition of the sick baby. When breathing stops, start resuscitation (artificial respiration).
Correctly to provide first aid, parents can only keep sober reason and adequate behavior - in case of an attack in the child, parents should not panic and commit erroneous actions.
Absolutely forbidden:
- Trying to contain the convulsions by force - you can only support the child so that he does not hurt himself.
- Trying to get medicine through the mouth - during a spasm it is useless and dangerous.
- Insert objects into your mouth to prevent swallowing of the tongue.
- Do artificial respiration if he breathes himself, but weakly.
- Do artificial respiration during an attack - the airways at this time are pinched.
Febrile convulsions in children - treatment
Dangerous from all points of view is considered hyperthermia with a temperature rise above 38. Febrile convulsions in a child at high temperature require the intake of antipyretic drugs. When hyperthermia, children are given Ibuprofen , Ibuklin, Paracetamol. With frequent convulsive attacks, doctors prescribe injections of serious anticonvulsants - Phenobarbital, Diazepam, Lorazepam or others. Prescribe drugs in this category should the doctor - self-medication can be dangerous.
Febrile convulsions - prevention
Often repeated and prolonged atypical febrile convulsions can degenerate into epilepsy, so doctors prescribe prophylactic treatment - sedative and anticonvulsants, they need to be taken for a long time. Phenobarbital and Valproate, which in most cases are prescribed to children suffering from febrile seizures, are fraught with serious side effects, so treatment is carried out strictly under the supervision of neurologists.