How common are febrile seizures in children?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Febrile seizures are a common childhood condition, affecting approximately 2 to 5% of children between 6 months and 5 years of age. These seizures are triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature, typically during an illness, and while they can be frightening for parents, most are brief and harmless.

Because fever-related seizures can share symptoms with other conditions, understanding what's causing your child's symptoms is essential. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify potential causes and guide your next steps—whether that means monitoring at home or seeking medical care promptly.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if febrile seizures need urgent care Discover likely causes of your child’s seizure See if it could be something serious Find OTC options for fever symptoms Find a pediatric neurologist for seizures Discover safe home care for fever Understand if recurring seizures need evaluation

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Explanation

Febrile seizures are seizures triggered by a sudden rise in body temperature, often from an infection. Key points include:

Age range: Most febrile seizures occur in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Incidence: About 2 to 5 out of every 100 children experience at least one febrile seizure. Risk factors: Family history of febrile seizures and rapid temperature increases can increase the risk. Types: Most febrile seizures are simple, lasting less than 15 minutes and not recurring within 24 hours. Prognosis: They usually do not cause long-term health problems or epilepsy, but any seizure in a child should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

If your child has a febrile seizure, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help assess their symptoms and seek medical advice for proper evaluation and guidance.

(References)

Corsello A, Marangoni MB, Macchi M, Cozzi L, Agostoni C, Milani GP, & Dilena R. (2024). Febrile Seizures: A Systematic Review of Different Guidelines. Pediatric neurology, 38653182.
Sawires R, Buttery J, & Fahey M. (2021). A Review of Febrile Seizures: Recent Advances in .... Frontiers in pediatrics, 35096712.
Patterson JL, Carapetian SA, Hageman JR, & Kelley KR. (2013). Febrile seizures. Pediatric annals, 24295158.

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