10 Febrile Seizure Symptoms

By lio

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Febrile Seizures: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7001-febrile-seizures
• 2. 'Febrile Seizure - Symptoms and Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 24 Feb. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/febrile-seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20372522
• 3. 'Febrile Seizures.' Nemours KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site About Children's Health, kidshealth.org/en/parents/febrile.html

Medical Expert

More About Us

Fevers are a common way the body fights illness. However, in some small children, the change in body temperature can cause unusual electrical activity in the brain. This causes convulsions and unconsciousness in what's called a febrile seizure.

These seizures are common for children between six months and five years old. Any child can have a febrile seizure, even if they are generally healthy. Seizures can be frightening, but in most cases, the child will recover quickly. Parents can give themselves peace of mind and respond appropriately by learning which symptoms are typical and which merit a trip to the hospital.¹‘Febrile Seizures: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7001-febrile-seizures

Fever

Febrile seizures differ from epileptic seizures in that febrile seizures are triggered by a fever. It does not take an extremely high temperature. Children with fevers as low as 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) could have a febrile seizure before anyone knows they're ill.²‘Febrile Seizure - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 24 Feb. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/febrile-seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20372522

Any seizure should be reported to the child's doctor even if it was short and the child has recovered. Many single instances of febrile seizure do not require any further medication or management but doctors will usually perform a physical exam and monitor future illnesses. Children who have had a febrile seizure may go on to have another.³‘Febrile Seizures.’ Nemours KidsHealth - the Web’s Most Visited Site About Children’s Health, kidshealth.org/en/parents/febrile.html