title: Understanding the pathophysiology behind febrile convulsions.
abstract: The most common background to hyperpyrexia and convulsions is immaturity of the child's physiological reactions to infection, so an understanding of the pathophysiology of pyrexia and febrile convulsions in young children enables nurses to take appropriate action. Correct management involves prompt recognition of rising temperature, administration of antipyretic medication, use of other cooling strategies and careful monitoring. Diagnosis of the underlying cause occasionally requires laboratory investigation, if no focus for infection is found, most cases being viral.
authors.affiliation: Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
authors.forename: Rebecca Ferrier
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Innes
mesh_terms: D058633:Antipyretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D058633:Antipyretics; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants
keywords: Antipyretics; assessment; central nervous system depressants; child; febrile seizures; fever; seizures febrile