Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
febrile seizure
A seizure occurring in children between 6 months and 5 years of age associated with fever but without evidence of intracranial infection.
Full Definition
Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure in childhood, affecting 2-5% of children. They are classified as simple (generalized, lasting less than 15 minutes, not recurring within 24 hours) or complex (focal, prolonged, or recurrent). While frightening for parents, simple febrile seizures are generally benign and do not increase the risk of epilepsy. However, complex febrile seizures may require further neurological evaluation.
Usage
Usage note: Two words, not hyphenated. Distinguish between simple and complex types in documentation.
In Context
- "The 18-month-old experienced a brief febrile seizure during a viral illness with temperature of 39.5°C." — Emergency department note
- "Parents were counseled about febrile seizure management and when to seek medical attention." — Discharge instructions
Also known as
fever-related seizure
Contrasted with
afebrile seizure
Don't confuse with
epileptic seizure
breath-holding spell