Febrile convulsions, eczema.
Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures occur between 3 months and 6 years. Majority of children have their seizure on the first day of illness. Degree of fever is variable. Measured fever is most often above 39 degrees.
Generally accepted criteria for febrile seizures include:
- A convulsion associated with an elevated temperature greater than 38°C
- A child older than three months and younger than six years of age
- Absence of central nervous system infection or inflammation
- Absence of acute systemic metabolic abnormality that may produce convulsions
- No history of previous afebrile seizures.
Seizures can be simple (generalised, lasting less than 15 minutes, do not recur in a 24 hour period) or complex (focal, last longer than 15 minutes or occur more than once in 24 hours).
Studies indicate that those patients with complex seizures are at higher risk of repeat episodes.
Predictors of Epilepsy in Children Who Have Experienced Febrile Seizures. NEJM 1976
History
- seizure characteristics
- duration
- presence of focal features
- immunisation status
- family history/social history
- known neurology.
Examination
- level of conciousness
- Meningismus – A group of symptoms similar to meningitis (stiff neck, reaction to light and headache) without inflammation of the membranes lining the brain.
- tense or bulging fontanelle.
- Post ictal drowsiness usually resolves within 5 to 10 minutes.
- Signs of infection- ears, throat etc.
Treatment
Most febrile convulsions have resolved by the time treatment is sought. If seizure activity continues beyond five minutes then intravenous benzodiazepines should be given.
Eczema.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin disease.
Clinical features include:
- skin dryness
- erythema
- oozing
- crusting
- pruritus (itching)
Elimination of exacerbating factors.
- avoid excessive bathing without moisturisation
- avoid heat and low humidity
- avoid emotional stress
- avoid solvents and detergents.
What causes worsening of eczema? A systematic review. Br J Dermatology 2006.
Standard treatment is based around the use of moisturisers and anti inflammatory preparations.
Maintenance of skin moisture is important. To maintain skin hydration, emollients should be applied at least two times per day and immediately after hand washing and bathing.
Antihistamines are used to treat both puritus and eye irritation. The evidence is weak supporting their use.
Severity:
- Mild- Areas of dry skin, infrequent itching (with or without small areas of redness); little impact on everyday activities, sleep, and psychosocial wellbeing.
- Moderate- Areas of dry skin, frequent itching, redness (with or without excoriation and localized skin thickening); Moderate impact on everyday activities and psychosocial wellbeing, frequently disturbed sleep.
- Severe- Widespread areas of dry skin, incessant itching, redness (with or without excoriation, extensive skin thickening, bleeding, oozing, cracking, and alteration of pigmentation); severe limitation of everyday activities and psychosocial functioning, nightly loss of sleep.