Which statement best describes a simple febrile seizure?

• A. Generalized tonic-clonic lasting less than 15 minutes, occurs once in 24 hours, and returns to baseline
• B. Seizures with focal features lasting more than 15 minutes
• C. Seizure occurs without fever
• D. Seizure recurs more than once in 24 hours

Answer: (A)

Simple febrile seizures present in young children during a fever and have a very recognizable pattern: they are generalized in onset, brief in duration (less than 15 minutes), occur only once within 24 hours, and the child quickly returns to baseline after the event. This combination—generalized tonic-clonic activity, brief length, a single event in a 24-hour period, and full recovery—is what makes the description you identified the best match.

If a seizure has focal features or lasts longer than 15 minutes, that points to a complex febrile seizure. If the seizure occurs without a fever, it isn’t febrile. If seizures recur more than once in 24 hours, it isn’t the simple form.