Febrile Seizures Health Article

Definition

Febrile seizures are the most common type of convulsions in infants or small children and are triggered by fever. It is not in the strict sense an epilepsy syndrome but rather a symptom of a febrile illness, and it normally affects children between three months and five years of age, mainly toddlers. During a febrile seizure, a child may lose consciousness and move or shake the limbs. The seizure itself is normally harmless and does not cause brain damage. A child who experiences a seizure in the setting of a fever should be taken to the hospital so that any serious causes of the fever can be evaluated.

Description

Febrile seizures (or convulsions) occur mainly in children between three months and five years of age and are associated with a fever of any cause. Toddlers are most commonly affected and there is a tendency for febrile seizures to run in families. These seizures are associated with fevers that rapidly rise to temperature up to or above 102°F, but they can also occur with lower temperatures.

There are two types of febrile seizures: simple (or benign) and complex. Benign febrile seizures account for 80–85% of all febrile seizures, and last less than 15 minutes. They usually do not recur within 24 hours. Complex febrile seizures, which suggest a more serious illness, account for 15–20% of all cases, last more than 15 minutes, and can recur within 24 hours.

Children with febrile seizures often lose consciousness and shake, moving limbs on both sides of the body. Less commonly, children become rigid or have twitches on only one side of the body.

Demographics

About 2–5% of all children experience a febrile seizure and about 25% of these children have a first-degree relative with history of febrile seizures. There is a slightly higher prevalence among boys, and no ethnic differences have been reported. Less than 5% of children with febrile seizures will eventually develop epilepsy.