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Febrile Seizures in Children

Febrile seizures are convulsions in young children caused by fevers, usually over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. They occur in approximately 1 in 25 children. Although they can be scary for the parent, they are rarely dangerous.

  1. Affected Ages

    • Febrile seizures most commonly affect children between six months and 5 years. The later a child has their first seizure, the less likely they are to have another one.

    Symptoms

    • The child may lose consciousness and shake, with limbs on both sides of the body moving. In some cases, the child may become rigid and have twitching in only one part of the body.

    Onset and Duration

    • Febrile seizures usually happen during the first day of the illness. They can last a few seconds up to 15 minutes, although most commonly last one or two minutes.

    During the Seizure

    • If your child has such a seizure, stay calm, turn your child on his or her side to prevent choking, and remove any objects in the mouth if possible. If the seizure lasts more than 10 minutes, seek emergency help.

    Prevention

    • If a child has many repeat febrile seizures, they may be treated with diazepam (Valium) whenever he or she develops a fever.

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