Which statement best describes simple febrile seizures in children?

• A. Seizures lasting more than 30 minutes often indicating epilepsy
• B. Seizures in children with CNS infection only
• C. Generalized seizure lasting less than 15 minutes in typically developing children aged 6 months to 5 years during fever; no CNS infection
• D. Complex partial seizures during fever

Answer: (C)

Simple febrile seizures are brief generalized convulsions that occur in children with a fever who are otherwise healthy and developing normally. They typically occur between 6 months and 5 years of age, involve the whole body (no focal features), last less than 15 minutes, and happen during fever without evidence of CNS infection. This combination of age, fever-associated onset, generalized and short seizure without CNS infection defines a simple febrile seizure. Longer seizures, focal features, multiple seizures within 24 hours, or signs of CNS infection would point to a different, more concerning scenario.