Febrile Convulsions

Question 1

What are febrile convulsions?

Answer 1

Short lived tonic-clonic seizures precipitated by high fevers, most commonly associated with viral illnesses

Question 2

Most common aetiology of febrile convulsions?

Answer 2

Roseola (HHV 6)

Question 3

Clinical features of simple febrile convulsions

Answer 3

Generalised tonic clonic seizures

Last <15 minutes

Occur only once during a single febrile illness

Question 4

Clinical features of complex febrile convulsions

Answer 4

Consist of partial or focal seizures

Last >15 minutes

Occur multiple times during the same febrile illness

Question 5

Management of febrile convulsions

Answer 5

Antipyretics

Treatment of underlying infection as required

Question 6

Febrile convulsions and epilepsy

Answer 6

Simple febrile convulsions do not increase risk hugely

Complex febrile convulsions increase risk by 4-12%