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Febrile convulsions

Last updated 28 Sep 2011, review date due 28 Sep 2013

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 three years. They are generally tonic-clonic seizures, but may, less commonly, be focal 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


We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.

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