Pediatricians are frequently taught that a rapid rise in temperature i
s responsible for causing a febrile seizure; yet there are no clinical
data to support this hypothesis. The few experimental data are based
on hyperthermia-induced seizures in animals and are of no clear releva
nce to naturally occurring fevers and accompanying seizures. Further,
the experimental findings are not consistent across studies. By contra
st, there is substantial evidence indicating that the height of temper
ature plays a role in eliciting a febrile seizure. Although febrile se
izures are now recognized as benign and, in general, a disorder that s
hould not be treated with chronic anticonvulsant therapy, an understan
ding of how fevers lead to febrile seizures may be useful for evaluati
ng the appropriateness and efficacy of treatments that involve intermi
ttent therapy given at the time of fever.