A 4-year-old child presents with a 2-minute generalized tonic-clonic seizure during a febrile illness (39.2°C due to acute otitis media). He recovers baseline alertness within 10 minutes. There is no prior seizure history and neurological examination is normal. What is the diagnosis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Simple febrile seizure
- Step 1: A simple febrile seizure is generalized, lasts < 15 minutes, occurs once in 24 hours, and has no focal neurological deficits.
- Step 2: Complex febrile seizures are focal, last >= 15 minutes, or recur within 24 hours.
- Step 3: Simple febrile seizures are benign and carry no increased risk of long-term neurological impairment.
Answer
Simple febrile seizure.
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