First aid tip – Febrile convulsions

Lately I have been hearing more often from parents that their child has had a febrile convulsion. It can be frightening if you have never experienced it before. So I asked our first aid trainer, Linda, to give us a brief overview and some first aid tips what you can do. Thank you Linda!

“Febrile convulsions occur when the infant or child’s temperature is high. Some children and infant’s brains are unable to regulate this and when they get an infection, usually throat or ear, the brain overheats and the child will fit. They may become flushed and sweaty with a very hot forehead, eyes may roll upwards, or eyes can be fixed and squinting, they may hold their breath and the face may look blue, they may become stiff with clenched fists and arched back.

What must you do
1. Keep child safe during the fit and monitor response and Airway Breathing and Circulation. Place soft padding around the child such as towels or pillows so that violent jerking won’t cause injury.
2. Undress child to help cool them down and make sure there is cool fresh air in the room, but be careful not to overcool.
3. Seizures stop when the child has cooled down. Check response Airway Breathing and Circulation. If responsive and breathing, seek immediate medical attention. If not responsive but breathing place in recovery position and call 112. If not breathing start CPR, rescue breaths and compressions and call 112 immediately.

Once a child has had a febrile convulsion, they will be prone to convulsions in the future. So try to keep temperature down if they get ill and discuss with your Doctor medication for seizures and infection.

If your child has a high fever above 37 degrees, keep cool with drinks, light bedding, paracetamol, fan room to keep air cool and a quiet environment.

Advice taken from First aid Fast for children and babies.”

Let us know. Is this useful info and would you like to hear more first aid tips?

photo credit: Double–M via photopin cc