Febrile seizures (fits) can occur in children when they have a fever (a temperature of 38°C/101°F or above) that occurs as a result of an infection or inflammation. They normally occur in children aged between six months and five years, with most cases happening between six months and three years.
Although not a common condition, febrile seizures are not particularly rare either. It is estimated that 2-5% of all children will have a least one febrile seizure.
Types of febrile seizure
There are two types of febrile seizure which are described below.
- Simple febrile seizures: the seizure does not last for more than 15 minutes, and does not reoccur during your child's infection.
- Complex febrile seizures: the convulsion lasts for more than 15 minutes, and/or the child experiences several episodes of seizures during their infection.
Simple febrile seizures are the more common type, occurring in an estimated 75% of cases.
What happens during a febrile seizure?
During a febrile seizure, your child's body will become stiff, they will lose consciousness, and their arms and legs will twitch.
A febrile seizure will normally last no longer than three to six minutes. Once it had stopped, your child may appear dazed and confused. It may take up to an hour for them to recover.
The majority of children will only have one febrile seizure, although 30% will have recurring seizures during a future infection.
Febrile seizures look worse than they actually are
Febrile seizures can be very frightening for parents, but they look much worse than they actually are. They cause no serious damage to your child, and the risks of long-term complications are extremely low. In the UK, there have never been any deaths due to febrile seizures.
The causes of febrile seizures are unknown
If your child has a febrile seizure, the underlying infection should be treated. Lowering your child's temperature by giving them paracetamol and removing any excessive clothing and bedding will make them feel more comfortable. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.
