Gabriel's First Febrile Fit

We had a scare of our lives on 4-May-08. Gabriel was having fever the day before and we brought him to a clinic to treat a sore throat and fever. The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the throat infection and something for the fever. However, in the evening, his body temperature was still high. Then at night I prepared to use a Voren (diclofenac sodium, 12.5mg) suppository. While I was preparing the suppository, Ying was screaming from the room, calling me. Gabriel threw a fit. His hands and legs were shaking. His eyes rolled up and his face turned blue. Recalling first aid learnt at school, I put a chopstick between his teeth. The episode lasted less than 2 minutes. When he gained consciousness, I inserted the suppository and placed a cool patch on his forehead. Then we rushed him to the nearest hospital.

What causes a Febrile Fit?
- It can happen when there is a sudden rise in body temperature.

What to do for your child during a Febrile Fit?
- Put him in recovery position, lying on his side, to clear air passage. Saliva or mucus may accumulate in the mouth and obstruct air passage.
- Do not insert anything between the teeth. This may cause damage to the teeth. Or you may cause injury if you try to pry open clenched teeth.

What to do after the Febrile Fit?
- If he has high fever, remove warm clothes, sponge with cool water.
- Use a suppository with the correct dosage. Take note of the type of suppository. There are 2 types: Paracetamol and Voltaren. If the child is taking Paracetamol orally, then you should not use a Paracetamol suppository to avoid an overdose. Give a Voltaren suppository instead.
- Bring the child to the nearest hospital if it is the first time it happened.

Gabriel stayed in hospital for 4 days. Whenever his temperature was above 37.5ºC, nurses would sponge him with cool water and gave him medication. During investigation, his temperature went up and down. Only on the 3rd day his condition stabilized. He was treated with antibiotics and given paracetamol for the fever.

What did we do wrong?
- We did not monitor his temperature during his fever.

We now realize how crutial temperature monitoring is. We have a thermometer to take temperature from the armpits or anus, but we found it too slow and difficult to use. We bought ourselves a new one to take measurement from the ear - it is fast and convenient. Quick measurement is essential especially if your child is moving about and pushing you away. It is accurate too, we always counter check with our own body temperature.

Hope this posting can create awareness for you, help you to be prepared and to help your child to avoid a Febrile Fit.