YOUR HEALTH
Fever-caused seizures don't usually cause permanent damage
DR. DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Our son, now 44, had a febrile convulsion when he was 5 years old. It happened early in the morning, so we didn't know how long it lasted. Our family doctor, who in those days made home visits, came two hours after we had called him, and our son was still unconscious.

From then on, our son had petit mal seizures. We had him examined, and the doctor did an EEG, which showed a small brain scar about the size of a pinhead.

After all these years, we are still worried about our son. His seizures stopped a long time ago, and he is not on any medication. However, he does things that are not normal. He is too trusting, naive, gullible and easily manipulated, and people take advantage of him. He needs help. Where can he get it? -- D.A.

ANSWER: Children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years are the ones at risk for having a febrile convulsion -- a seizure that comes on when body temperature is 102.2 F (39 C) or higher and when body temperature rises to those levels quickly. The peak age for such seizures is between 14 months and 18 months. About 4 percent of children experience a febrile seizure.

The whole affair is usually over quickly, lasting only for a few seconds to few minutes. Rarely does it continue for 15 or more minutes. During the seizure, the baby's arms and legs repetitively contract and relax, or they are drawn into a tight contraction. After the seizure, the child is drowsy for a short time.

Generally, febrile seizures have an excellent prognosis are not associated with future problems or a decline in intellectual performance. I don't believe your son's personality traits developed from the seizure he had as a youngster.

Does your son recognize his troubles in his relationships with others? His acknowledgement of these problems is the first step in righting them. If he cannot correct them on his own and if his life is affected by them, he should ask his family doctor to refer him to a mental health specialist for counseling.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved