Does febrile seizure in children affect the brain?
Fever, also known as pyrexia, may sometimes lead to febrile seizures in children. Whether such seizures affect the brain depends on various factors including the underlying cause and duration of the seizure. Due to individual differences, it is not possible to make a general conclusion.
1. No impact: Because children's nervous systems and regulatory functions are not fully developed, they may lose control over the hypothalamus during fever, leading to seizures. If the seizure is a simple febrile seizure that resolves once the fever is under control, it is generally benign and does not affect the child’s brain nerves or intellectual development.
2. With impact: If the febrile seizure in a child is caused by brain diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis, and if the seizure symptoms persist, there could be some impact on the child's brain nerves, potentially affecting intellectual development.
If a child develops a fever, prompt management is recommended. If seizures occur frequently, medical attention should be sought immediately.