2 year old febrile seizures or diabetic?

[laurens_mom]

I have a 2 year old daughter (3rd child - others are 7 and 4).  When she was 15 months old she had an "incident" where she lost consciousness and was totally out.  Called 911, went to ER and she was fine (actually fine before they even arrived).  We assumed she choked on something - blood came back fine and the only thing she had was a fever of 101 (previously did not).  Also she had had her first MMR immunization 8 days prior.

Feb of 2008 she was 18 months old and picked up a virus.  She threw up and had a seizure within a minute after.  Went to ER again and temp was still 102.5 -2 hrs later.  Discharged and sent to pediatrician for followup.  He sent us to a pediatric neurologist who felt she had 2 febrile seizures.  We went for an EEG (sleep deprived) and it came back normal.

June 2008 she was 22 months old and had a virus again.  She threw up and I gave her Tylenol.  4 hrs later no fever so no Tylenol (what I was told to do when I questioned doing the Tylenol / Motrin regime every 3-4 hrs for 24 hrs).  Within an hour after that she spiked a fever and had a seizure.  This one was the longest but still relatively short at about 20 seconds.  Called the dr and ran her there immediately.  Did blood work and urinalysis and said she had a viral infection and febrile seizure (temp was still 103 after being cooled down).

Family history is my husband had febrile seizures to age 6.  The other children we have had never had one.  I run high fevers to 104.5 or slightly higher.  It seems she got my tendency to run high fevers and daddy's tendency to have a seizure.

My questions are - does anybody do the Tylenol/Motrin every 3 hrs for 24 for every fever?  Also, she is more thirsty (IMO) compared to my other children but has no other signs of diabetes.  My question is could she get a virus, not eat because she doesn't feel well and then have a low blood sugar seizure?  I have asked but really haven't received a clear answer (since they have no idea).

Her seizures (all 3) were more of going unconscious rather than seizing, although the last one had slight arm and leg movement.  I feel like we are missing something but don't know what to look for next.  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would truly appreciate it!

[laurens_mom]

Thanks for your response!

She did have an EEG in March 2008.  It was considered "normal."  The doctor (ped. neuro) stated that if it came back that way, it would be determined she has febrile seizures.  The next test is a 48 hr EEG.  However, I have researched that and at the age my daughter is (almost 2 in 1 wk) I do not think that would work out very well.  Also the ped neuro agreed with me on this and also on the fact that after the first EEG, the second would "most likely" come out the same way.

A 1 hr sleep deprived EEG took over 6 hrs to do with her - she flipped out and ripped the wires off and had to start all over multiple times.  She was so hysterical she vomited.  This is a children's neurology center near us and they were so nasty about the whole thing I don't think I would go back there again even if I did need a 48 hr one.  They told us "don't bring her back unless she is getting a sedated EEG next."

So we are kind of in waiting mode to see if the next fever / virus causes one or if I can hold it off with the tylenol / motrin every 3-4 hrs for 24 hrs (which after this one the pediatrician agreed we should try).

The strange thing (to me) is she never had any problems with any fevers before Nov. 2007.  I researched a lot on MMR vaccines and seizures is a "side effect" due to a fever spike.  I have also found that after having that first one, it can lead to having the predisposition to have more (which she has now).  Any ideas?  Obviously it's too late for her now that she had the MMR.  My children have all had the immun. on time and with no problems so I'm not even sure it's related.

I am just exploring everything to see what else there is.

The thirst I mentioned is daily, not just with a fever.  But reading the posts of others, I realize it is not excessive.  She just drinks more than I am used to children drinking.

The low blood sugar idea came out b/c she was not eating each time due to a virus and when I researched the type of seizure she had (more of going unconscious) it came up as an idea.  She had blood work that showed her sugar was OK though.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Febrile seizures can indeed occur during the height of fever.  The cause of this is due to the hyperexcitability of the nervous system brought about by the high temperature.  Your angle about the blood sugar is also plausible, and this should warrant further investigation by her pediatrician.

Since she already had 3 seizures, it is best that she would also be worked up for a primary seizure disorder, possibly through an EEG.  The increased thirst is rather relative, and this is common in persons who have fever due to the increased metabolic rate.

I suggest you talk with her doctors regarding an EEG.

Regards.