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How do you prevent febrile seizures?

When a child has a fever most parents use drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and to make the child more comfortable, although there are no studies that prove that this reduces the risk of a seizure.

One preventive measure would be to try to reduce the number of illnesses with fever, although this is not a practical possibility. Daily use and prolonged oral anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital or valproate, to prevent febrile seizures is not recommended due to potential side effects and because their effectiveness for preventing such seizures is controversial.

Children especially prone to febrile seizures can be treated many times as you have a fever with the drug diazepam orally or rectally. Most children with febrile seizures need not be treated with medication, but in some cases the doctor may decide that medicine given only when the child has a fever is the best alternative. This drug may reduce the risk of having another febrile seizure. Usually it is well tolerated, but occasionally can cause drowsiness, lack of coordination, or hyperactivity. Children vary widely in their susceptibility to these side effects.