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SEIZURES
By :
DEFINITION
Febrile seizures are the most common type of
seizure seen during childhood (American
Academy of Pediatrics, 2008; Johnston, 2007)
They usually affect children who are younger
than 5 years of age, with the peak incidence
occurring in children between 14 and 18 months
old.
Febrile Seizures (FS) occurs as a result of
infection outside the CNS or to high
environmental temperature in a child who is
normal neurologically.
ETIOLOGY
media
Pneumonia
Gastroenteritis
Urinary track infection
Diphenhydramine
Tricyclic
antidepressants
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Dehydration resulting in disruption of waterelectrolyte balance
RISK FACTOR
1.
Age
2.
Gender
3.
Body temperature
4.
Heredity
5.
SYMPTOMS
A febrile seizure may be as mild as the childs
eyes rolling or limbs stiffening. A simple febrile
seizure stops by itself within a few seconds to 10
minutes. It is often followed by a brief period of
drowsiness or confusion
Febrile seizures may begin with the sudden
tightening (contraction) of muscles on both sides
of a childs body
TREATMENT
During the seizures, leave your child on the floor.
You may want to slide a blanket under the child if the floor is
hard
Move the child only if in a dangerous location
Remove objects that may cause injury
Loosen any tight clothing, especially around neck. If possible,
open or remove clothes from the waist up
If the child vomits, or if saliva and mucus build up in the
mouth, turn the child to the side or on the stomach. This is also
important if it looks like the tongue is getting in way of
breathing
Do NOT try to force anything into the childs mouth to prevent
bitting the tongue, as this increases the risk of injury. Do NOT
try to restrain your child or try to stop the seizure movements.
CONT....
Focus your attention on bringing the fever down:
Insert an acetaminophen suppository (if you have some) into
the childs rectum
Do NOT try to give anything by mouth
Apply cool washcloths to the forehead and neck. Sponge the rest
of the body with lukewarm (not cold) water. Cold water or
alcohol may make the fever worse
After the seizures is over and your child is awake, give the
normal dose of ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
After the seizure, the most important step is to identify the cause
of the fever.
Meningitis causes less than 0,1% of febrile seizures. It should
always be considered, especially in children less than 1 year old,
or those who still look ill when fever comes down.
THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT
Includes determination and treatment of the cause
of the fever and interventions to control the fever.
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not
recommend long-term or intermittent
anticonvulsant therapy for the child who has
suffered one or more simple febrile seizures
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008).
Rectal diazepam has been shown to be safe and
effective in terminating febrile seizures and may
be used in children at high risk for febrile seizures
or in children whose parents are extremely
anxious.
NURSING ASSESSMENT
Hypertermia
2.
3.
Knowledge deficit
4.
5.
Goal : verbally clients do not experience a misinterpretation and low self-esteem doesnt happen
Outcomes : clients and families can know correctly
about prognosis, treatment regimen and treatmen
of the seizures
Intervention :
THANK YOU