Febrile seizure in a seven-year-old?

**monkeywrangler71** · 02-20-2012, 07:08 PM

Posting because I know that there are a lot of nurses and other health care workers here.

Apparently it is relatively common for a small child to have a seizure with a fever, but only up to about age 5. My son had one in school today, he is 7 1/2. He had a fever at the time, but not really high (38º), and has a cold.

He had a headache afterwards, but it subsided within an hour. He had no other neurological symptoms after he got to the hospital - he was coherent, motor functions/reflexes/eye responses normal, nothing on the blood work, no neck pain. There is no family history of seizures, and he has never had one before. Aside from a runny nose, he is acting completely normal.

They decided against a spinal tap/CAT scan today because of the lack of any other symptoms. He has to follow up with a neurologist in a few days. However, the ER doctor was clearly concerned about my son's age.

We are watching him like a hawk until he sees the specialist, but I was wondering if any of the health care workers can tell me just how far from normal it is for this to happen to a seven year old. Is it just odd, or completely unheard of? Does it mean something terrible?

**alotofgooddeals** · 02-20-2012, 07:33 PM

is your son a late bloomer etc...of course i would be concerned but chances are it is quite normal(as normal as a seizzure can be)...i know it is so scary...but i would try to remain calm until you see the specialist...you are doing all you can by watching him like a hawk...

**dancemommy** · 02-20-2012, 08:34 PM

I am not a health care worker, but I'd be concerned too. Good luck to you and your son! I have a daughter that age and know that would be so scary. I think I would push for an MRI- just in case.

**monkeywrangler71** · 03-22-2012, 06:50 PM

Update:

Neurologist says 'No', he's too old to start having febrile seizures.
He had another one on the 14th. Doctor thinks it's epilepsy.
EEG was normal, he's sending him for an MRI.