What is a baby fit or febrile convulsion?

GP Rob replies: Febrile convulsions are scary to watch in a baby but are rarely serious and are not the same as epilepsy. The convulsion often occurs in the early stages of a viral infection when a child's temperature can rise rapidly.

Around one in 30 children has a febrile convulsion at some point, and both girls and boys can be affected. They're most common in babies between 6 months and 3 years old, but can occur up to around age 6.

A child or baby will cry, lose consciousness, and become rigid for a short time before fitting. Convulsions can last a few minutes before the child regains consciousness and afterwards they often fall asleep.

To bring down a fever, remove their clothes, keep their fluid intake up and give children's paracetamol or ibuprofen as recommended on the packet.

If your child fits again make sure she can't hurt herself but don't restrain her or put anything in her mouth. Once the fit has stopped put her in the recovery position and seek medical advice.

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