Phone Numbers
Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242
Patient information
(203) 688-4177
Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222
Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333
Admitting
(203) 688-2221
Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331
Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907
Fever convulsions
Seizures related to fever may occur in children ages four months to six years. They are related to a rapid rise in temperature rather than a high temperature, and while they are frightening to witness, they are rarely harmful. Seizures occur in less than 5 percent of children ranging in age from six months to five years. Seizures tend to run in families. And once a child has a fever convulsion, the risk of another increases 25 to 50 percent.
• YNHH Health Library: Fever
What to look for
During a fever convulsion, the child loses consciousness, his or her eyes
may roll back and the child's arms and legs may stiffen and jerk. Seizures
usually last for 10 minutes or less. The child regains consciousness and
usually feels sleepy for about an hour after the seizure.
If your child has a seizure
- Stay calm.
- Make sure the child is breathing without difficulty.
- Turn the child on his or her side.
- Remove any sharp objects from around the child, but do not put anything in the child's mouth.
- Do not try to restrain leg or arm movements. You may place a pillow under the child's head.
- Note how long the seizure lasts.
- Notify your pediatrician.
| Physician Referral Online A free and confidential service
of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Physician Referral Online Using your own criteria, you can request information from a database of 900 area physicians who have registered to participate. Request an appointment We would be happy to assist you in scheduling an appointment with a member of the hospital's medical staff. Use the link above or call: (203) 688-2000 or toll-free (888) 700-6543 to talk with a referral coordinator. |
Reviewed: Robert LaCamera, MD, September 1999
Last revised: June 6, 2007 (dh)
