Page 81 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 81
perature already between 37.5 °C and 38 °C (Nase, 2016). Immediate action parent awareness about the onset of febrile seizures and fever 81
is needed in the case of a child having an epileptic seizure, when a child is in
the shock-like state, after a surgery and if a child has a weakened heart. If the
core temperature continues to rise dramatically, it can harm and thus deterio-
rate our cells (Pediatrična klinika Ljubljana, b. d.).
Young children between the ages of about 6 months and 6 years old are
the most likely to experience febrile seizures, caused by elevated body temper-
ature. The latter are most commonly observed in children between 14 and 18
months of age. The phenomenon of febrile seizures continues building up in
the first few hours (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017). Febrile seizures or
convulsions are the most common form of cramps that occur in young chil-
dren, affecting 2-5 % of them. They take place when fever is not lowered prop-
erly. These incidents may frighten parents as they are very similar to epileptic
seizures (Capovilla, 2009). The fact is that febrile seizures might be life threat-
ening for a child. Febrile seizures are particularly dangerous for children who
suffer from associated cardiovascular diseases, given that elevated body tem-
perature makes the heart beat faster (National Institute of Neurological Dis-
orders and Stroke, 2020). In many situations, parents are the ones who are the
first to see their child suffer from febrile seizures and at a time like this, knowl-
edge is essential to help identify the first signs when febrile seizures occur and
appropriate care needs to be given as soon as possible (National collaborating
centre for women’s and children’s health, 2019). It often happens that parents‘
action is inadequate and useless as they are overwhelmed with emotions, worry
and fear when they see, for the first time, their own child having a febrile con-
vulsion. A lot of parents often state that it was the worst day ever to see their
child completely unresponsive. The healthcare team is the one responsible for
providing all relevant information to the parents of a child in a situation like
this and at the same time offer them knowledge, practices and first aid meas-
ures regarding febrile convulsions. Immediate medical attention, further hos-
pital treatment and medical observation are often necessary (Cantrell, 2011).
When febrile seizures begin, there is nothing you can do to make the seizure
stop. The most important thing, in a situation like this, is to stay calm and fo-
cused and to protect your child from possible bumps, falls and other injuries
that might occur during a seizure (Victorio, 2020). The objective of the here-
with research was to describe febrile seizures and the occurrence of fever and
above all, to determine the level of parents‘ awareness with respect to febrile
seizures. In addition, we were interested in finding out how parents deal with
the child‘s fever and febrile seizures. Finally, we also wanted to know what in-
formation sources most contributed to their knowledge and about the quality
of the information in their possession.
Methods
For the purpose of this research we decided to conduct a quantitative empiri-
cal study based on data collection. The data was acquired by means of a ques-
is needed in the case of a child having an epileptic seizure, when a child is in
the shock-like state, after a surgery and if a child has a weakened heart. If the
core temperature continues to rise dramatically, it can harm and thus deterio-
rate our cells (Pediatrična klinika Ljubljana, b. d.).
Young children between the ages of about 6 months and 6 years old are
the most likely to experience febrile seizures, caused by elevated body temper-
ature. The latter are most commonly observed in children between 14 and 18
months of age. The phenomenon of febrile seizures continues building up in
the first few hours (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017). Febrile seizures or
convulsions are the most common form of cramps that occur in young chil-
dren, affecting 2-5 % of them. They take place when fever is not lowered prop-
erly. These incidents may frighten parents as they are very similar to epileptic
seizures (Capovilla, 2009). The fact is that febrile seizures might be life threat-
ening for a child. Febrile seizures are particularly dangerous for children who
suffer from associated cardiovascular diseases, given that elevated body tem-
perature makes the heart beat faster (National Institute of Neurological Dis-
orders and Stroke, 2020). In many situations, parents are the ones who are the
first to see their child suffer from febrile seizures and at a time like this, knowl-
edge is essential to help identify the first signs when febrile seizures occur and
appropriate care needs to be given as soon as possible (National collaborating
centre for women’s and children’s health, 2019). It often happens that parents‘
action is inadequate and useless as they are overwhelmed with emotions, worry
and fear when they see, for the first time, their own child having a febrile con-
vulsion. A lot of parents often state that it was the worst day ever to see their
child completely unresponsive. The healthcare team is the one responsible for
providing all relevant information to the parents of a child in a situation like
this and at the same time offer them knowledge, practices and first aid meas-
ures regarding febrile convulsions. Immediate medical attention, further hos-
pital treatment and medical observation are often necessary (Cantrell, 2011).
When febrile seizures begin, there is nothing you can do to make the seizure
stop. The most important thing, in a situation like this, is to stay calm and fo-
cused and to protect your child from possible bumps, falls and other injuries
that might occur during a seizure (Victorio, 2020). The objective of the here-
with research was to describe febrile seizures and the occurrence of fever and
above all, to determine the level of parents‘ awareness with respect to febrile
seizures. In addition, we were interested in finding out how parents deal with
the child‘s fever and febrile seizures. Finally, we also wanted to know what in-
formation sources most contributed to their knowledge and about the quality
of the information in their possession.
Methods
For the purpose of this research we decided to conduct a quantitative empiri-
cal study based on data collection. The data was acquired by means of a ques-
