Which of the following can precipitate febrile seizures in children?

Febrile seizures are typically caused by a rapid increase in body temperature, often due to an illness that causes fever, such as a viral infection. The most common trigger for these seizures is a high fever, which is understood to occur when the body rapidly increases its temperature in response to infection or inflammation. This heightened temperature can lead to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, resulting in a seizure event in some children who are predisposed to them.

High fevers, particularly those above 102°F (39°C), are associated with a higher risk of febrile seizures. While the exact mechanism is not completely understood, it is known that the susceptibility to febrile seizures typically occurs in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. Understanding that the physiological stress and rapid changes brought by a high fever can lead to febrile seizures helps to clarify why this is the correct response to the question about what precipitates them in children.