Fits & Convulsions in kids

The most common cause of fits in children is high fever. At times, seizure may also run in families.

Children usually develop fits either due to high fever or infection of the brain. Convulsions may also occur because of imbalances in the body's electrolytes like Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium.

High Blood Pressure (often due to renal disease) and lead poisoning can induce convulsions. At times, seizure disorder may run in families.

However, the most common cause of fits in the children is high fever. This condition is termed as rdquo; Simple febrile fits and rdquo. Children between six months and three years of age are prone to develop febrile fits.

The fits usually occur within 24 hours of onset of the fever. In one bout of fever, the fits occur only once. Febrile fits occur only once or twice in a lifetime. It has been discovered that children who have febrile convulsions tend to be more intelligent than other children of the same age.

The priority in such cases must be to prevent the occurrence of high body temperature. Simple febrile convulsions are not a threat to the life of the child. Usually, one need not fear any permanent neurological disability developing in these children. Sadly though, about one fourth of children with simple febrile convulsions go on to develop Epilepsy in their adult life.

(Source: Webhealthcentre.com)