Yes, febrile seizures can occur during sleep. Febrile seizures are convulsions caused by a spike in body temperature, usually due to a fever. These seizures can happen in both children and adults, although they are most common in children aged 6 months to 5 years.
When a person is sleeping, their body temperature can fluctuate more drastically than when they are awake. This can cause a fever to spike suddenly, leading to a febrile seizure. In most cases, these seizures will last for less than five minutes and the person will return to their normal temperature without any long-term effects. However, if the seizure lasts for longer than five minutes, medical attention should be sought.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a febrile seizure, which include sudden jerking or stiffening of the body, loss of consciousness, and shallow or rapid breathing. If you think someone may be having a febrile seizure, it is important to remain calm and try to keep them from falling or hurting themselves. After the seizure, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and rule out any serious underlying conditions.