Question
The child has recently had a bit of a low-grade fever and some twitching, and there is a concern whether this is a symptom of epilepsy. How should it be diagnosed?
Answer
A low-grade fever accompanied by twitching and inattention in children does not necessarily confirm an epilepsy seizure. If the fever is accompanied by twitching and loss of consciousness, it may be diagnosed as a febrile convulsion. However, after the fever subsides, the twitching usually stops, and the convulsion will also disappear. Epilepsy is not directly related to fever. The characteristics of pediatric epilepsy are that it recurs suddenly at specific times, places, and conditions, most commonly in partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures, usually accompanied by whole-body twitching and loss of consciousness, possibly with symptoms such as clenched jaws, flailing limbs, pale or blue complexion, or incontinence of urine or feces. Your child may not necessarily have epilepsy; treatment for the cause of the fever should be sought promptly.