Convulsions due to high temperature, any advice please?

[NatalieJane]

DS2 (15 weeks old) was rushed to hospital late last night due to a really high temperature, he was passing out, not breathing very well, deathly grey colour, not responding, and shivering violently, we managed to get his temp down a bit and we brought him home about 2 o'clock this morning with the advice to keep him cool, give calpol, and to ring 999 if he fits again.

He has been fine since, but has now started to get warm again (though I may just be being paranoid!), I am scared incase he does the same as last night.

I don't even know why I am posting really, but thought someone might know how to avoid it all kicking off again? I did ring the doctor today for some advice about it happening again and he was more interested in blaming me for wrapping him up last night and making it worse, so no joy there.

Try and keep his temp down by using regular medication, tepid bathing, not too many clothes and plenty of fluids. How terribly scary for you, hope he gets better soon

Are you giving calpol AND neurofen? You can do this alternating the dose so calpol then an hour later neurofen. It is quite safe as they are different medicines. We had to do this when ds had pnuemonia and had a very high temp (going blue round the mouth etc)
Also we were advised to sponge with tepid water NOT cold as cold makes the body feel cold so it responds by warming up more. HTH and your lo is better soon.

OH IGNORE ME...I didn't realise how young he is. Don't give him neurofen. SORRY

Definately the tepid bath thing, try not to worry about wrapping him up last night, its a bit instinctive with babies but just try and keep him cool if it happens again.

I hope he gets better quickly

My son has had nearly 20 febrile convulsions and my daughter has had 4 so understand how you feel.
First of all there is a wonderful quote in Toddler Taming

"The short fever fit does not damage the child only it's mother's nerves."

I think your son at 15 weeks is too young for nurofen. I think babies have to be 6 months for that, although the calpol should be ok.Once they are old enough the calpol, neurofen work well together.

The fits tends to happen when the temperature shoots up suddenly which is usually at the beginning of the illness or when the calpol is wearing off.

You can get a cooling gel pack from the chemist, i am not sure what age they are from.

The tendency for febrile convulsions is inherited, so unless you have them in the family (which mine does) the chances of having another fit is only about 1 in 3 and it is quite rare to have 3 or more.

99% of children will grow out of them by 5, my son is the 1% and had one last year at 10 and half.

Buy a Braun Ear Thermometer - about £30 but well worth it.

My son had a couple of febrile convulsions, scared the life out of all of us, I know exactly how you are feeling and you will feel like this for ages so don't beat yourself if you go to pieces in a few days with the delayed shock.

If you think he's got a temp, cool the room, strip him off, open a window. Obv you can't let him get too cold either and don't cuddle him, you'll transfer your body heat to him.

Tepid baths will bring down a temp quickly - doc at hosp said that is the best thing to do. Poor DS was forever dunked in the bath at 3am.

My son has had 3 febrile convulsions -I too understand.

Christywisty's post was brilliant and I have nothing further to add as such - only that we are here to support you and we understand.

Ds's happened at nursery all three times.
They were totally brilliant and have always been vigilant about keeping an eye on his temperature and administrating nurofen/ calpo immed, as soon as there is any sign.

best of luck.

yep, and a very apt quote about the nerves!

I sympathise, my dd3 now 2.2 has had alot of febrile convulsions - the last a couple of weeks ago. You have to act as soon as ds2 starts to get hot. give him some calpol and take his clothes off. use tepid water. Don't use cold water - a rapid decrease in temperature will also cause a febrile convulsion.

Check with your doctor whether you can give nurofen - we were told that it can be given under 6 months, but it depends on the weight of your baby. (15 weeks may be too young/too light).

I agree with getting a braun ear thermometer. dd3s temperature only needs to get to 38 and she has a fit. Also I agree that it runs in families, I have had fits and so did my ds as well as dd3.

Although it is difficult, try to remember that the baby does not suffer at all, and it is far more scary for you. It is awful though - it is only for the last few fits that we haven't called 999/dashed to A&E.

Thanks to all of your posts, it is reassuring to know he/we aren't the only ones (not that I'd wish it on anyone else but you know what I mean!!)

His temp has been creeping up since this afternoon so he is naked, sat infront of the fan, and full of calpol. I think he is now starting to cool a bit, but he felt cold yesterday before the fit so I'm not relaxing just yet.

I am going to get one of those thermometres tomorrow, I have always just gone off how they feel but not anymore!

And just answer the question someone asked, my aunt used to have them as a child but as far as we are aware no one else has.

Thanks again everyone, scary stuff this parenthood malarky!