Initial management at home if history of previous febrile convulsion

initial management of febrile seizure at home

Due to the risk of 1 in 3 children developing recurrences, parents should be given appropriate advice on how to manage a child if further febrile seizures occur at home.

• take necessary steps to prevent injury to the child during the seizure
• avoid restraining the child or putting anything in the mouth
• check the airway and place the child in the recovery position once the seizure stops
• clear the area around the child
• time the seizure
• inform that
  • the child may sleep for up to one hour following the seizure
  • if seizure lasts for less than 5 minutes - get medical help
  • if seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes - call an ambulance
• in recurrent febrile seizure - provide rescue treatment if the tonic-clonic component continues for more than 5 minutes
  • buccal midazolam is used as first line treatment or rectal diazepam if preferred or midazolam is not available

Reference:

• (1) Patel N et al. Febrile seizures. BMJ. 2015 ;351:h4240
• (2) Deakin K. Clinical Review – Febrile seizures. GPonline 2011