Question
My daughter has a fit every time her fever reaches 39 degrees. I’m worried that she might develop epilepsy later on?
Answer
Febrile seizures are a common symptom in children under 3 years old, often occurring in infants between 6 months and 3 years of age. They are more prevalent in males than females and usually cease after the age of 3 to 5. The attack of febrile seizures is primarily due to the immature development of the child’s nervous system, compounded by infection and fever. Febrile seizures have a genetic predisposition and are prone to recurrence, with a recurrence rate of 50% within the first year. Recurrent episodes of high fever seizures can lead to brain damage, which may result in intellectual impairment, behavioral disorders, paralysis, or even the development of epilepsy.