Warm compresses to reduce fever in children with simple febrile seizures

Abstract

Febrile seizures are the most common neurological disorder in children, affecting approximately 1 in 25 children. This high prevalence occurs because children under the age of five have underdeveloped immune systems, making them highly susceptible to various febrile illnesses. In clinical wards, parents frequently request immediate fever-reducing medication when their child experiences hyperthermia. Standard nursing protocols typically involve measuring the patient's body temperature, administering antipyretics, and implementing non-pharmacological interventions. These supportive measures include providing plenty of fluids, placing the child in a room with a normal ambient temperature, dressing them in lightweight clothing, utilizing massage or herbal alternatives like aloe vera, and applying compresses. The objective of this study is to determine the specific efficacy of warm compresses in reducing body temperature among paediatric patients experiencing simple febrile seizures. The study focuses on paediatric patients diagnosed with simple febrile seizures who present with a body temperature above 37.5°C. To manage and reduce body temperature, warm compresses are applied to the forehead, axilla (underarms), and inguinal (groin) regions. Each application lasts for 30 minutes and is repeated three times to evaluate its therapeutic effect.

Keywords: Body temperature reduction, febrile seizures, hyperthermia, paediatric nursing, warm compresses