It can be very frightening when a child has a febrile convulsion, but children usually recover well and are able to return home from the Emergency Department. This leaflet aims to answer some common questions about febrile convulsions and gives some practical advice.

What is a febrile convulsion?

A febrile convulsion is a fit (a seizure) which happens when a child has a high temperature.

It usually happens in children aged between 6 months and 6 years old.

About 3 in 100 children have a febrile convulsion.

What does it look like?

A convulsion is caused by increased activity in the brain.

This usually means that the affected person becomes stiff, their arms and legs may jerk, and they become unaware of their surroundings.

They are usually sleepy and confused for a while afterwards.

What should I do if my child has a febrile convulsion?

• Try to stay calm.
• Lie your child on their side on a flat surface, for example the floor.
• Wait for the convulsion to stop.
• DO NOT restrain or shake your child.
• Usually the fit stops within five minutes. Your child may be sleepy afterwards. If the fit has stopped arrange for a doctor to see your child by contacting your GP.

When should I call an ambulance?

Call 999 if:

• The convulsion lasts longer than five minutes.
• Another convulsion starts after the first one stops.
• Your child has difficulty breathing or looks very unwell.

Will my child have another convulsion in the future?

Most children will only ever have one febrile convulsion but a few will have more than one.

After the age of 6 it is very rare for a febrile convulsion to happen.

Very few children who have a febrile convulsion go on to have seizures in later life (epilepsy).

What should I do if my child has a fever?

Do

• Keep your child lightly dressed and give cool drinks.
• Give paracetamol (‘Calpol’) or ibuprofen (‘Nurofen’). These can be bought from the chemist and can help bring a temperature down.

Do not

• Bathe your child in cold water or put them directly in front of a fan.

References

Jones et al, (2007) Childhood febrile seizures overview and implications, I.J.M.S.

Armon K et al, (2003) An evidence and consensus based guideline for the management of a child after a seizure Emergency Medicine Journal.

Contact us

Telephone: 0117 414 5100

© North Bristol NHS Trust.  This edition published July 2022. Review due July 2025. NBT002255