Febrile Seizure

A febrile seizure (fever convulsion, "fit") causes your child's muscles to go into spasms. It usually happens when a child's temperature goes up really fast. Febrile seizure only happens in a very small number of children and does not cause any permanent damage.

The chance of your child having another seizure is 25% to 30%. Most children will not have another one. The chance of your child having another seizure is greater if they are younger than 18 months, if there is a family history of febrile seizures, or if the fever was not very high when the seizure happened.

Many doctors and parents think the side effects from the medicine that may prevent seizures are worse than the child having another febrile seizure. Even if your child takes the medicine, it may not stop them from having another seizure.

**Please remember: that the amount of fever does not put a child at risk. Febrile seizures happen because of how fast the temperature rises.

Return to the Emergency Department IF:

• A seizure happens and your child does not have a fever.
• Your child is younger than 6 months, is 6 years old or older, or an adult has a seizure.
• Your child has a high fever plus a bad headache, vomiting, stiff neck, or a bulging soft spot (if they are an infant).