Febrile Convulsions

These are seizures that are associated with a high fever in children between 6 months – 5 years. It's relatively common, and 1 in 3 children will have at least one more episode.

It doesn't hugely increase the risk of epilepsy in the future (~1% overall).

It typically presents as a short-lived and tonic-clonic episode.

N.B. The most common cause of it is roseola infantum caused by human herpes virus 6. These patients tend to have very high fever signs.

Types

• Simple – More common - Generalised, tonic-clonic seizures lasting < 15 mins and occurs once during a single febrile illness

  • Very small risk of developing epilepsy (~2%)

• Complex – Less common - Partial or focal seizures lasting > 15 mins or occur multiple times during a single febrile illness

  • Higher risk of developing epilepsy (4-12%)

Management

• Look for source of underlying infection

• Further investigations if complex type

• Safety net advice for parents if another episode occurs