Febrile Seizures (Convulsions with Fever)

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Febrile Seizures
Category : Health Centers > Brain and Nervous System

Febrile Seizures

Alternate Names : Convulsions with Fever

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

Febrile seizures are convulsions that can occur in children with fever.

What is going on in the body?

Febrile seizures occur in 3% to 4% of children who are younger than 5 years old. Fever lowers the seizure threshold in the brain. The whole brain can then "short-circuit," resulting in a generalized motor seizure.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Fever causes a febrile seizure. This type of seizure is more common in children with a family history of febrile seizures. It also occurs more often in children with epilepsy, a diagnosed seizure disorder.

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		Febrile Seizures: Symptoms & Signs

Author: Gerald C. McIntosh, MD
Reviewer: Adam Brochert, MD
Date Reviewed: 06/01/01

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