Imagine a normally active 2-year-old with a runny nose and a fever who has an episode of his whole body jerking and loss of consciousness. This child is most likely experiencing a febrile seizure.

Febrile seizures can be frightening to witness but are rarely dangerous.

The most common type of febrile seizures, a simple febrile seizure, happens in developmentally normal children between 6 months old and 6 years old and lasts less than five minutes. The child’s temperature generally needs to be above 101 degrees Fahrenheit to trigger a febrile seizure. Most febrile seizures happen while the fever is rapidly increasing. One in 20 children will have a febrile seizure in childhood, and the risk increases if there is a strong family history. After a child has had a febrile seizure, she should be evaluated by her primary care physician or an emergency medicine physician.

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions related to seizure safety that all parents should know:

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

• Never put anything in your child’s mouth. This can cause injury to your child’s mouth or teeth.


• Place your child on his/her side and monitor his/her breathing and color.


• Have a phone near you so that you can call 911 if needed.

When should I call 911?
Call 911 if:

• The seizure lasts five minutes or longer.


• If your child has any difficulty breathing (pause in breathing for 30 seconds).


• If you notice any cyanosis (blue skin color) in your child’s hands, feet or around the mouth.

What should I do differently in the future, now that I know my child has had a febrile seizure?
Of children who have had one febrile seizure, only 25 to 30 percent will ever have another (see study by Freeman, Vining and Pillas, 68). Safety is the most important concern. Seizures are unpredictable. Your child should be continuously monitored while swimming or bathing. He/she should always wear a helmet while on a bike, skates or skateboard. Your child should also be restricted from climbing.

For more information, an excellent resource is:

Freeman, John M., Eileen P. G. Vining, and Diana J. Pillas. "Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: a Guide." Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 2002.

Brian Woodruff, MD, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist with IHA Neurology Consultants. Dr. Woodruff focuses on providing expert care by devoting time to understanding each patient’s individual needs. IHA Neurology Consultants is located at 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr., Lobby L, Suite 2300, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. He can be reached at 734.930.5300. For more information please visit www.ihacares.com.