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.
This information has been produced under the terms of The Information Standard.
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Updated September 2011To be reviewed September 2013
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Comments
I have a 2yr old, who has had 14 febrile convulsions since the 6th dec an some more than 1 in a day, both me and my partner suffered from them and I also now have photo sencativate epelipsy, is there any support for parents? And what do u think my sons chances of him get eperlipsy? Thanks x x
Hi Kerry
Thanks for your questions.
Although febrile convulsions are common in children, when they happen they are such a worry. You’ll be glad to hear, most children who have febrile convulsions don’t develop epilepsy. A child who has had febrile convulsions has only a slightly higher chance of developing epilepsy than other children.
Regarding your epilepsy, there are certain types of epilepsy that seems to run in families. These could include childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, photosensitive epilepsy or febrile seizures. Each type of epilepsy has a different level of risk of being inherited. However, even with the types of epilepsy that are most likely to be inherited, the risk that a child will inherit it is thought to be less than 15 in every 100. You may wish to view our inheritance webpage, where we have information about the risks of a child developing epilepsy, when other family members have epilepsy.
You haven’t mentioned what kind of support you are looking for. For us to help with this, please can you either email or phone the Epilepsy Helpline with more information. Hopefully will be able to advise you.
Regards
Advice and Information Team