In a message dated 12/10/98 6:47:25 AM EST, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< I am reading a book for parents which says that "if [the seizure lasts
 for more than 5-10 minutes, take the child to the nearest doctor or
 hospital.  Seizures that last more than 10-20 minutes may require
 medication to stop them. . . . Even recurrent febrile seizures are not
 harmful and do not result in brain damage, death or epilepsy."  It goes
 on to state that there is no evidence that lowering the temperature by
 giving acetaminophen will prevent a seizure. >>

The information above is essentially quite accurate.  Febrile seizures are NOT
harmful to the child.  They occur as the fever is rising and often depend on
the rate of rise of the fever.  Giving antipyretics such as acetominophen
doesn't work because they aren't absorbed fast enough to lower the rise in
temperature.  Most febrile convulsions are less than 5 minutes long.  Children
do not stop breathing during a convulsion--they're ventilating just fine.
Treating with prophylactic anticonvulsants is not recommended because the side
effects from the anticonvulsant are much worse than the febrile seizure.  A
child with a first febrile convulsion only has about a 30% chance of a second
convulsion; they occur in kids from about 3 months to 3 years and can run in
families.  It is generally recommended that the parent contact a physician or
have the child seen after a first febrile convulsion, primarily to rule out
any significant infection as the cause of the fever, not specifically due to
the convulsion.

Hope this helps.

Linda L. Shaw MD FAAP
Altoona PA