Febrile Convulsions in Babies and Children: A Parent’s Guide

A febrile convulsion (also called a febrile seizure) is a seizure that can happen when a young child has a high temperature. Most are not serious, last under five minutes and cause no lasting harm. Keep your child safe, time the seizure, and call 999 if it is their first one, if it lasts more than five minutes, or if you are worried.

What is a febrile convulsion?

A febrile convulsion is a seizure brought on by a high temperature in a young child. It is sometimes called a febrile seizure or a febrile fit.

They usually affect children between six months and six years old, and often happen on the first day of an illness with a fever. Febrile convulsions are common, affecting an estimated 2 to 5 in every 100 children (around 1 in 25). They can be frightening to watch, but according to the NHS they are usually harmless and over quickly.

Importantly, a febrile convulsion is not the same as epilepsy. It is a one-off response to a fever rather than a tendency to have seizures.

What are the signs of a febrile convulsion?

During a febrile convulsion a child usually becomes stiff and loses consciousness, and their arms and legs may twitch or jerk.

Your child may:

• become stiff and twitch, shake or have jerking movements
• become unconscious
• not respond or not look at you when you talk to them
• be sick or wet themselves
• be sleepy, irritable or confused for up to an hour afterwards

Most febrile convulsions last two to three minutes, and it is rare for one to last more than ten minutes. A simple febrile convulsion affects the whole body and happens once in 24 hours. A convulsion that lasts longer, affects only one side of the body, or happens more than once in 24 hours is described as complex and needs closer medical review.

What to do during a febrile convulsion

Stay calm, keep your child safe, and time how long the seizure lasts.

Do

• note the time the seizure starts and ends
• protect their head with your hands or something soft
• move away anything nearby that could hurt them
• once the seizure stops, put them in the recovery position and check nothing is blocking their mouth or throat

Do not

• do not try to hold them still or move them unless they are in danger
• do not put anything in their mouth
• do not try to cool them down by undressing them or sponging them with cold water

For step-by-step seizure first aid, see our guide on what to do when someone is having a seizure.

When should I call 999?

Call 999 the first time your child has a febrile convulsion, or if a seizure lasts more than five minutes.

Call 999 or go to A&E if your child:

• has a seizure for the first time
• has a seizure that lasts more than five minutes
• is having difficulty breathing
• has stiffness and twitching on only one side of their body
• is more sleepy than usual for more than an hour after the seizure stops
• has more than one seizure within 24 hours

If your child is still having a seizure or is unconscious, call 999 rather than driving to A&E. After a first febrile convulsion a child is usually checked in hospital. Our guide on when to call 999 during a seizure sets out clear criteria.

Will my child develop epilepsy?

Most children who have a febrile convulsion do not go on to develop epilepsy.

Having had a febrile convulsion slightly increases the chance of developing epilepsy later in life, but this remains uncommon. A small number of children have recurrent febrile convulsions; if this happens, a doctor may prescribe a medicine to give during a seizure. You cannot prevent febrile convulsions. In rare cases, repeated febrile seizures form part of a genetic syndrome such as GEFS+.

If you are ever unsure whether your child’s episodes are febrile convulsions or something else, our guide on the signs a child might need to be tested for epilepsy and our first-seizure action plan for parents may help.

Supporting children in early years settings

Anyone who cares for young children should know how to respond calmly to a febrile convulsion.

Nurseries, childminders and early years staff are often present when a young child develops a fever. Clear procedures, paediatric first aid and a shared understanding of when to call 999 help everyone respond well and reassure parents that their child is in safe hands.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a febrile convulsion last?

Most last two to three minutes and it is rare for them to last more than ten minutes. Time the seizure and call 999 if it lasts more than five minutes.

Are febrile convulsions dangerous?

They are usually harmless and do not cause brain damage, but you should always seek medical advice, especially the first time one happens.

Can I prevent a febrile convulsion?

No. Lowering a fever with medicine does not reliably prevent them, and you should not try to cool your child by undressing them or sponging them with cold water.

What temperature causes a febrile convulsion?

They are linked to having a fever rather than to one specific temperature, and can happen as a temperature rises quickly.

Is a febrile convulsion the same as epilepsy?

No. They are different. A child who has had a febrile convulsion has a slightly higher, but still small, chance of developing epilepsy later.

Help your team respond calmly and safely

National Epilepsy Training delivers epilepsy and seizure awareness training for nurseries, schools and childcare teams, so staff know exactly what to do.

• recognise seizures and febrile convulsions
• know the do’s and don’ts of seizure first aid
• know exactly when to call 999

Explore our epilepsy awareness training