Table 1.

Clinical characteristics of simple and complex febrile seizures (FS).

Simple

Complex

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures without focal features Seizures last less than ten minutes Seizures spontaneously resolve There is no recurrence within 24 h

There are focal features in which, for example, only one side of the body is involved Seizures last for more than ten minutes Two or more seizures occur within 24 h Full recovery is not observed after one hour There are post-ictal neurologic consequences There is a short period of paralysis, defined as Todd’s paralysis, after the seizure Febrile SE develops Anticonvulsant drugs may be required to interrupt the seizure