Can I have a handhold,11month old taken to hospital with temp and febrile convulsions

[wonderstuff123]

Partner has gone in with her as I had to stay at home but am not going out of my mind with worry.

Son aged 11 had febrile convulsions around the age and her temp was 39 when the ambulance came. She was shivering and hysterical. Calpol and ibuprofen haven't seemed to touch it.

I just need people to tell me it will be ok.

It will be ok. Our DS (11) didn't have them so it was terrifying when his sister did, at 18 months. She hasn't had a full on convulsion since but has rigor, where her body shivers but she doesn't actually fit. It's still 3 x ambulance trips in under 18 months though. Holding your hand for this, it 's terrifying for you and your older DC. DH went in the ambulance that first time too, as he didn't t rust himself to drive.

Thank you x I wish I could have gone but only 1 adult. Now sitting by my phone for updates..apparently temp is now 40.1

I had these when I was about 2. Only happened twice and then never again. No lasting effects 35 years later. They'll be taking great care of her. Thinking of you x

We've had 40.7 in DD most recent trip to hospital. They're resilient little people. DD is now a turbo powered 2 year old. She will be fine. You and your DP need a hug when he gets back. Watch out for her being discharged at a stupid time. We've had 11pm and 5.30am discharge times. I keep a taxi app on my phone.

Thank you both. Yeah,I won't be sleeping tonight anyway. I'm pretty sure they'll keep her in

Holding your hand xxx

It will be ok. I can remember my sister having what we later found out to be a febrile convulsion when I was only about 4 myself.
My poor parents were terrified but she was fine after a night in hospital and I’m sure your dd will be too.

They look bloody scary, but are actually not overly uncommon in little ones, the hospital will do thorough checks. I have been in your position and know nought will ease your mind, but offering a handhold.

They look awful but they're pretty common. Depending on how she is they might discharge her or they might start soem treatment (ie antibiotics) or run tests. If this is the case, they treat/aim to rule out the scary stuff first so don't panic too much if they do this. She will be back needing cuddles before you know it

Thanks all. Feeling the love and support x

We’ve had several of these necessitating an ambulance due to length (the hospital’s advice). I remember how scary the first one was, until I had more information about what it is.

They look VERY scary (we get foaming at the mouth) but they are 99.9 times out of 100 absolutely harmless and fairly common. They won’t do any damage.

Btw meds don’t touch a temp and the latest advice is not to use meds to bring temperature down.

In our case it’s always been caused by an ear infection or tonsillitis necessitating antibiotics. But a viral cause is more common apparently and there is no medication just waiting it out. I met one parent whose child has them weekly so there can be other causes, but usually it’s due to the body fighting an often non serious infection. Very rarely it can be a sign of something more serious (meningitis etc). It’s not linked to epilepsy and most children grown out of them by age 5

They've said viral infection (both ears are red) and will be taking her temp to check it's come down then discharging if so.

I'm not very happy with that as her temp already came down to 37.7 this evening from 39.8 then shot back up hence the trip to hospital. They've said her temp might spike again over night...surely they should be keeping her in?

Hope it worked out ok. With Covid, they're discharging once they've got the temperature down (in my experience), hence our 5.30am discharge time (phone 999 just after 1am) so they're unlikely to keep her in once they've established the cause and given her antibiotics.

Febrile convulsions are actually relatively common, supposedly about 1/20 kids get them.

Saying that the first time my dc had one I was terrified. By the time they had had several (every time they got a bad cold, tonsillitis or ear infection) I got used to what to do when it happened and also got into the habit of giving calpol and calprofen in rotation when there were signs of temperature.

I'm sure the hospital/doctor will give advice on what to do if dc has another one but if I remember correctly you need to put them on their side with head tipped back to keep airway clear, loosen clothing and time the convulsion. Usually it will only last a minute or so but if it goes on for more than 5 minutes or they hold their breath for more than 30seconds call 999 (though you should always ring 999 for their first convulsion).

Oh and supposedly there is a genetic element - I had them as a child and both my dc had them. Luckily they both grew out of them by the age of 5.