Febrile convulsions

Doctors use the term febrile to define a body temperature of 38 degrees C or above. Febrile convulsions are common in children between the ages of six months and six years. They are generally tonic-clonic seizures, but may, less commonly, be partial seizures. They are usually linked to a childhood illness such as tonsillitis, or teething, which cause a rise in temperature.

Febrile convulsions are not epilepsy, but a child who has had febrile convulsions has a slightly higher chance of developing epilepsy than children in general.

Because they are not epilepsy, we do not have detailed information about febrile convulsions. For more information, please visit

• NHS Direct or
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

updated 20 March 2006