My Baby Had a Febrile Seizure
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect had a febrile seizure, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Febrile seizures are frightening to witness but are usually harmless. They affect about 1 in 25 children, typically between 6 months and 5 years, and almost never cause lasting harm. Most children who have one febrile seizure never have another, and they don't increase the risk of epilepsy significantly.
Key takeaways
- Febrile seizures are frightening to witness but are usually harmless. They affect about 1 in 25 children, typically between 6 months and 5 years, and almost never cause lasting harm. Most children who have one febrile seizure never have another, and they don't increase the risk of epilepsy significantly.
- Usually normal when: Your child had a brief (under 5 minutes) seizure with a fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
- Call your doctor if: The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Searching for answers means you care.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, WHO guidelines, febrile seizures are frightening to witness but are usually harmless. They affect about 1 in 25 children, typically between 6 months and 5 years, and almost never cause lasting harm. Most children who have one febrile seizure never have another, and they don't increase the risk of epilepsy significantly. At 0-6 months, febrile seizures are rare before 6 months. If your young baby has any seizure-like activity (stiffening, jerking, loss of consciousness), even with a fever, this needs immediate medical evaluation as it may indicate a more serious infection or neurological issue rather than a typical febrile seizure. It is generally considered normal when your child had a brief (under 5 minutes) seizure with a fever above 100.4°F (38°C). However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours.
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours
- Your child has difficulty breathing, turns blue, or remains unresponsive after the seizure
- Your child has a stiff neck, severe headache, rash with fever, persistent vomiting, or seems extremely ill beyond just the fever
- The seizure only affects one side of the body or one limb
- Your baby is under 6 months old
By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Febrile seizures are rare before 6 months. If your young baby has any seizure-like activity (stiffening, jerking, loss of consciousness), even with a fever, this needs immediate medical evaluation as it may indicate a more serious infection or neurological issue rather than a typical febrile seizure.
6-18 months
This is the most common age for a first febrile seizure. They typically occur when a fever rises rapidly, often before you even realize your baby is sick. Most last less than 5 minutes and involve the whole body stiffening or jerking. Your baby may lose consciousness briefly and be sleepy afterward, which is normal.
18 months - 3 years
Febrile seizures remain common in this age group. If your child had one before, there's about a 30% chance of having another with a future fever. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your child's brain - it's just how some children's developing nervous systems respond to fever.
3-5 years
Children tend to outgrow febrile seizures by age 5. If your older toddler has their first febrile seizure after age 3, your doctor may want to investigate more thoroughly, but most are still simple and benign. Keep track of the duration and description to share with your pediatrician.
5 years+
Febrile seizures after age 5 are unusual. A seizure with fever in an older child warrants careful medical evaluation to rule out other causes such as meningitis or encephalitis, even if it seems similar to previous febrile seizures.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed had a febrile seizure and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if this was your child's first febrile seizure (your pediatrician should evaluate to confirm it was febrile and not another cause).
- Mention if your child has now had more than two febrile seizures.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child had a brief (under 5 minutes) seizure with a fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
- Your child became drowsy or sleepy for 30 minutes to an hour after the seizure
- Your child returned to their normal self within a few hours
- The seizure involved the whole body (both sides) rather than just one arm or leg
- Your child has had one or two febrile seizures in the past with different illnesses
- This was your child's first febrile seizure (your pediatrician should evaluate to confirm it was febrile and not another cause)
- Your child has now had more than two febrile seizures
- You have a family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures
- Your child had a febrile seizure that lasted more than 3 minutes
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours
- Your child has difficulty breathing, turns blue, or remains unresponsive after the seizure
- Your child has a stiff neck, severe headache, rash with fever, persistent vomiting, or seems extremely ill beyond just the fever
- The seizure only affects one side of the body or one limb
- Your baby is under 6 months old
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice had a febrile seizure — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your child had a brief (under 5 minutes) seizure with a fever above 100.4°F (38°C) — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-6 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours.
Related Resources
Fever Decision Tree
Step-by-step guidance for evaluating your baby's fever by age and temperature.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is had a febrile seizure normal?
When should I call the doctor about had a febrile seizure?
When is had a febrile seizure normal?
What causes had a febrile seizure?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about had a febrile seizure?
Is had a febrile seizure normal at 0-6 months?
Is had a febrile seizure normal at 6-18 months?
Should I go to the ER for had a febrile seizure?
Does had a febrile seizure go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Febrile Seizures. HealthyChildren.org, 2024. AAP
- [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Febrile Seizures Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. CDC
- [3]World Health Organization. Management of the child with a serious infection or severe malnutrition, 2013. WHO
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Had a Febrile Seizure.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed had a febrile seizure and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if this was your child's first febrile seizure (your pediatrician should evaluate to confirm it was febrile and not another cause).
- Mention if your child has now had more than two febrile seizures.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- This was your child's first febrile seizure (your pediatrician should evaluate to confirm it was febrile and not another cause)
- Your child has now had more than two febrile seizures
- You have a family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures
Urgent signs to report immediately
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours
- Your child has difficulty breathing, turns blue, or remains unresponsive after the seizure
- Your child has a stiff neck, severe headache, rash with fever, persistent vomiting, or seems extremely ill beyond just the fever
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of had a febrile seizure are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or happens multiple times in 24 hours.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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