Which describes a simple febrile seizure?

• A. Brief, generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurring without underlying neurologic abnormalities
• B. Longer than 15 minutes with focal features
• C. Seizures with baseline developmental abnormality
• D. Status epilepticus

Answer: (A)

A simple febrile seizure is a brief, generalized convulsion that occurs in a child with fever and no underlying neurologic problems or focal signs. These seizures are typically short — usually under 15 minutes — and occur without baseline developmental abnormalities, and they don't show focal features. This description fits the choice describing brief, generalized tonic-clonic activity during fever in a child with no neurologic abnormalities.

Longer seizures with focal features point away from simple febrile seizures and toward complex febrile seizures or other causes. If there’s a baseline developmental issue, that also argues against a simple febrile seizure. A seizure lasting into status epilepticus is not a simple febrile seizure.