Fever and fever-related epilepsies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

J Helen Cross1

  • 1UCL-Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London and Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, United Kingdom. h.cross@ucl.ac.uk

Epilepsia
|September 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Febrile seizures are common in children and usually harmless. However, complex febrile seizures may indicate a higher risk for developing epilepsy later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Febrile seizures are a frequent pediatric emergency.
  • Most febrile seizures are benign and self-limiting.
  • A subset of febrile seizures are complex and may have long-term implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on febrile seizures.
  • To examine the link between febrile seizures and epilepsy.
  • To explore associated clinical phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of febrile seizures and epilepsy.
  • Analysis of the relationship between simple vs. complex febrile seizures and epilepsy risk.
  • Examination of clinical phenotypes linked to febrile seizures.

Main Results:

  • Most febrile seizures do not lead to long-term issues.
  • Complex febrile seizures are associated with an increased risk of epilepsy.
  • Certain epilepsy syndromes share phenotypes with febrile and illness-related seizures.

Conclusions:

  • While most febrile seizures are benign, complex cases warrant careful evaluation.
  • The distinction between simple and complex febrile seizures is crucial for prognosis and management.
  • Febrile seizures can be an early indicator of underlying epilepsy syndromes.

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