Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
febrile seizure
Convulsion in children aged 6 months to 5 years triggered by fever, typically benign but requiring documentation of fever onset and seizure characteristics.
Full Definition
A seizure occurring in children between 6 months and 5 years of age in association with fever but without evidence of intracranial infection or other defined cause. Febrile seizures are classified as simple (generalized, lasting <15 minutes, not recurrent within 24 hours) or complex (focal, prolonged >15 minutes, or recurrent). Proper editorial review requires attention to the precise timing of fever onset relative to seizure activity and accurate classification terminology in clinical documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify simple vs. complex classification in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The 18-month-old presented with a simple febrile seizure lasting 3 minutes with a documented temperature of 39.2°C." — Emergency department note
- "Complex febrile seizures require EEG evaluation and neuroimaging studies." — Pediatric neurology consultation
Also known as
fever seizure
Don't confuse with
afebrile seizure
epileptic seizure