What to do if a 2-year-old child has a high fever and convulsions?
Generally speaking, high fever refers to high body temperature. High fever-induced convulsions in 2-year-old children may be caused by immature temperature regulation ability, genetic factors, common cold, acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and other conditions. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and follow the doctor's guidance for general treatments and medication therapies. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Immature Temperature Regulation Ability
The thermoregulatory center in 2-year-old children has not fully developed, resulting in limited capacity to regulate body temperature. During high fever, the cerebral cortex may become hyperexcitable, leading to convulsions. Parents should closely monitor their child's body temperature changes, avoid prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments, and promptly take measures to reduce body temperature, such as appropriately reducing clothing and encouraging adequate water intake.
2. Genetic Factors
Febrile convulsions can have a familial hereditary tendency. If parents or family members have a history of febrile seizures, the child's risk of experiencing such seizures significantly increases. Parents of children with a family history should be more vigilant and take prompt action to prevent excessive temperature elevation when the child develops a fever.
3. Common Cold
A common cold is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections, leading to dysfunction of the thermoregulatory center. Convulsions may occur during the continuous rise in body temperature. Accompanying symptoms may include nasal congestion, runny nose, and cough. Medications such as acyclovir oral solution, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium granules, and acetaminophen suspension drops should be used according to the doctor's instructions.
4. Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis may be caused by bacterial or viral infections leading to acute inflammatory reactions in the submucosal tissues and lymphatic tissues, resulting in sustained elevation of body temperature and increased risk of convulsions. Symptoms may include sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Medications such as cefradine dry suspension, ribavirin granules, and ibuprofen suspension may be used under medical guidance.
5. Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis in children may be related to incomplete development of various bodily functions. Inflammatory factors can cause abnormal elevation of body temperature, affecting the central nervous system and increasing the likelihood of febrile convulsions. Symptoms may also include throat pain and swollen tonsils. Medications such as penicillin V potassium granules, Pudilan Xiaoyan oral liquid (herbal medicine), and acetaminophen suppositories may be used as advised by a physician.
In daily life, it is important to enhance the child's nutritional intake to improve immunity and reduce the risk of infections. Additionally, when a child develops a fever, prompt measures should be taken to lower body temperature to prevent convulsions caused by excessive elevation of temperature.