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What Causes Febrile Seizures Lasting For A Long Duration?

Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2015

Question: My 3 year old son had a febrile seizure 5 days ago. This was the second one he has suffered. The first one was 8 months ago. They both lasted around 25 minutes. If you could not hear his heart beating you would think he was dead. He is lifeless. Each time I was lucky we were in an area where emergency personnel was on location in 7 minutes. Is there anything to do to prevent or lessen the likelihood of occurring again? The first time he did have infected teeth and was awaiting surgery. This time he had runny nose but had not been running any type of fever until it spiked.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Investigation required. Some medicines need to be continually given

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through the details and understand your concerns. 25 mins is quite a long duration for febrile convulsions. I would suggest an EEG to be done so that other structural causes can be excluded. You need to keep Midaz spray (Midazolam spray) handy at home so that in case of a future episode you can quickly stop the convusion early. You would have to give two puffs in each nostril in case of an ongoing convulsion. Other than this, valparin (sodium valproate) or eptoin (phenytoin) might need to be given continually for a few months. Frisium 5 mg tablet needs to be given twice a day in case of any fevers so that febrile convulsions can be avoided.

Be under the follow up of a doctor so that he can have a good understanding of the case.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 days later)

With the two seizures he has had he does not convulse. His arms are rigid and he is lifeless. He shallow breaths and color is off. If you did not hear heartbeat you would think he is dead. They have prescribed 7.5 mg diazepam rectally. Would the midaz be more and/or just as effective?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
These are very similar medicines

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back. Let me mention that there are many types of seizures and they are not necessarily associated with jerky movements of the body. Diazepam and midazolam (midaz) are of the same family of medicines. The latter is short acting and hence more preferrable. The effects are comparable and I would suggest use of Midaz but if diazepam is used per rectally, that should also serve the purpose.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar