Causes of Febrile convulsions

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Some people may be more likely to have febrile convulsions because they have inherited particular genes from their parents. About 20% of children who have one febrile convulsion also have a close relative who has had seizures.

Children who have frequent illnesses and infections are also more likely to have febrile convulsions.

Febrile convulsions can happen as a result of any illness that causes a high temperature, over 39C (102F). Illnesses that most commonly cause febrile convulsions include viral upper respiratory infections such as flu, ear infections, or roseola (a virus causing a temperature and rash).

Other conditions that can cause fevers are tonsillitis, kidney or urinary infections, or any of the common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, chicken pox and whooping cough.

Febrile convulsions may happen between 8- 14 days after a vaccination (such as MMR). However, far more children have febrile convulsions as a result of measles itself. If your child has had febrile convulsions, you should still have them vaccinated in the same way as other children.

Around a third of children who have had one febrile convulsion will have another during another illness that causes a high temperature. About half of these will go on to have a third seizure. Very few children have more than three febrile convulsions.