What Is a Febrile Convulsion?

A febrile convulsion (also called a febrile seizure) is a seizure that happens in young children when they have a fever. It most commonly occurs in children between 6 months and 6 years of age.

• The seizure (or “fit”) can last a few seconds up to about 15 minutes.
• Most febrile seizures in children in Grand Rapids last less than 2–3 minutes.
• After the seizure, your child may be sleepy or confused (drowsy) for 10–15 minutes.

Febrile convulsions are common and usually harmless, but they can be very frightening for parents and caregivers.

Are Febrile Convulsions Dangerous?

Febrile Convulsions and Brain Damage

• A short-lived febrile convulsion does not cause brain damage.
• Even a longer seizure almost never causes permanent harm.
• Children who have had a febrile convulsion typically grow up healthy and develop normally.

A febrile convulsion is not epilepsy. Most children who have a febrile seizure never go on to develop epilepsy.

How Common Are Febrile Convulsions?

• About 1 in every 20 children will have one or more febrile convulsions.
• Around 30% of babies and children who have had one febrile convulsion will have another.
• There is no way to predict which child will have a febrile seizure or when it will happen.

Febrile convulsions tend to run in families, although the exact reason is not known.

Symptoms of Febrile Convulsions

Signs and symptoms of a febrile convulsion can be very frightening to see, especially during a first episode. Typical symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness (your child “blacks out” and is unresponsive)
• Twitching or jerking of the arms and legs
• Stiffening of the body
• Breathing changes or brief difficulty breathing
• Foaming or drooling at the mouth
• Going pale or bluish in skin color
• Eye rolling so that only the whites of the eyes are visible
• Drowsiness and confusion for 10–15 minutes after the seizure

During a febrile convulsion:

• Children do not feel pain or discomfort during the fit.
• They may be irritable, confused, or not seem to recognize you for a short time afterward.

What Causes Febrile Convulsions?

Febrile convulsions are triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature, usually from an infection. Causes include:

• Viral infections (very common, especially during Michigan’s fall and winter cold and flu season)
• Sometimes bacterial infections (such as ear infections, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections)
• Sudden high fevers associated with common childhood illnesses

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, febrile seizures are often seen:

• During cold winters, when respiratory viruses (like flu, RSV, and colds) are more common
• In early spring and fall, when viral illnesses circulate in schools and daycare centers

Fever itself is a normal response to infection and is usually harmless. The developing brain of a young child is simply more sensitive to fever than an adult brain.

Do Children Need Regular Medication?

For most children in Grand Rapids, no regular daily medicine is needed for febrile convulsions.

There is a medication called midazolam that may be recommended for some children who:

• Have a history of febrile convulsions that last longer than 5 minutes
• Have had multiple or complex febrile seizures

This medication is usually used only in emergencies to stop a prolonged seizure. Most children do not require this medication.

If you would like more information about midazolam or other treatment options, talk with your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric specialist at a Grand Rapids hospital.

Caring for a Child With Fever in Grand Rapids, MI

Because Michigan has long, cold winters and frequent viral illnesses, fevers in children are common in the Grand Rapids area. If your child has a fever:

• Keep them comfortably cool

  • Do not overdress them or bundle them in heavy blankets.
  • Keep the room at a comfortable temperature (not too hot).

• Give plenty of fluids

  • Offer small, frequent sips of water.
  • For infants, continue breast milk or formula as recommended by your doctor.

• Use fever medicine if needed for comfort

  • You can give liquid acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if your child is in pain or very uncomfortable.
  • Always check the label for the correct dose for your child’s age and weight.
  • Never give aspirin to children.

Important: Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help your child feel better, but:

• They do not prevent febrile convulsions.

What To Do If Your Child Has a Febrile Convulsion

If your child has a seizure during a fever, follow these first-aid steps:

1. Try to stay calm.
2. Make sure your child is safe.
   • Gently place them on the floor or a flat surface.
   • Remove nearby objects they could hit or knock against.
3. Do NOT put anything in your child’s mouth.
   • Do not try to force a spoon, medicine, or your fingers into their mouth.
4. Do NOT shake, slap, or restrain your child.
5. Check their breathing.
   • Most children continue to breathe normally or resume normal breathing quickly.
6. When the convulsion stops, place your child in the recovery position.
   • Roll your child onto their side.
   • If there is food or fluid in their mouth, turn their head to the side and let it drain out. Do not try to dig it out with your fingers.
7. Note the time.
   • Try to remember or record when the seizure started and when it stopped. This information helps the doctor.

After the seizure stops, your child should be checked by a doctor or at the nearest hospital emergency department as soon as possible.

When To Call 911 in Grand Rapids

Call 911 immediately if:

• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• Your child has trouble breathing or turns very blue
• Your child does not wake up or respond after the seizure
• Your child has another seizure soon after the first one
• You are worried, feel unsafe at home, or are unsure what to do

In an emergency, paramedics can begin treatment right away and take your child to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids.

Where To Get Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If your child has had a febrile convulsion or you are concerned about fever, you can seek help from:

• Emergency (always for urgent situations)

  • Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies or seizures lasting more than 5 minutes.
  • Nearest hospital emergency departments in Grand Rapids include:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital – Emergency Department
    • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital – Pediatric Emergency Department
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids – Emergency Department
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health) – Emergency Department

• Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor

  • For follow-up care, questions about fever, and long-term management.

• Local pediatric specialists

  • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Grand Rapids) – Pediatric neurology and pediatric emergency care.

• Public health resources

  • Kent County Health Department – Grand Rapids: Information on childhood illnesses, vaccines, and fever-related infections common in West Michigan.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local clinics: Guidance on managing fever, preventing infections, and when to seek care.

Reassurance for Parents in Grand Rapids

Key points to remember about febrile convulsions:

• A febrile convulsion is a seizure that happens with a fever in children, usually between 6 months and 6 years.
• A short-lived febrile convulsion does not cause brain damage.
• Even a longer seizure almost never causes permanent harm.
• Children do not feel pain or discomfort during the fit.
• Your child may be sleepy or confused for 10–15 minutes afterward, which is normal.
• A febrile convulsion is not epilepsy.
• Most children who have a febrile convulsion in Grand Rapids grow up healthy, active, and with normal brain development.

If you live in or around Grand Rapids, MI and your child has experienced a febrile convulsion, follow the first-aid steps, seek medical evaluation, and discuss any concerns with your pediatrician or a local children’s hospital. Early information and reassurance can make these events much less frightening for families.