Convulsions
I had a mother today bringing her 1 yr and 10 month old baby girl for history of repeated convulsions. The mother was asking me to give her baby a vitamin so as to make her healthy and to avoid such problem to occur again.
I was speechless and surprised for the way the mom took the symptom very calmly and having in her mind that a certain vitamin is lacking from her daughter.
So, as a pediatrician, i had to lecture her what convulsion is all about.
Seizure is something all of us should not take for granted because this could mean a serious neurologic problem.
However, in the pediatric population, there are seizures that are associated with fever and without evidence of intracranial infections.
This febrile convulsions are the most common form of seizures in children. Usually, it is seen among the 6 months to 4 years old.
The seizures are generalized, of short duration, and may have postictal phase and a normal neurologic examination and EEG.
There are two significant risks associated with febrile seizures and these are:
1. 30-40% risk for recurrent febrile seizures
2. A slightly increased risk of later epilepsy
Febrile convulsions are best managed by properly educating the parents and caregivers:
1. If the child is febrile, they should be given a paracetamol to relieve the fever
2.The child’s skin should be wiped with soft wet cloth
3.The patient should be closely monitored
4. Education on the part of the caregivers