Febrile seizures are convulsions that happen in some children with fevers. They affect kids 6 months to 5 years old and are most common in toddlers 12–18 months old. They usually happen on the first day that a child has a fever above 100.4°F (38°C).
Most febrile seizures stop on their own after a few minutes and don't cause any other health problems.
During a febrile seizure, your child may:
If you think your child is having a seizure due to fever, try to stay calm and:
When the seizure is over, call your doctor. He or she probably will want to see your child.
No one knows why febrile seizures happen, so they usually can't be prevented. If your child is uncomfortable due to the fever, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by your doctor. It's important to call the doctor so your child can be seen after a febrile seizure.
Reviewed by: Anita S. Nathan, MD
Date Reviewed: Jun 4, 2018