A rare, potentially fatal, epileptic encephalopathy characterized by explosive-onset of recurrent multifocal and bilateral tonic-clonic seizures following an unspecific febrile illness. The syndrome develops without a clear acute structural, toxic or metabolic cause, in a patient without previous epilepsy. FIRES is a subgroup of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and requires a preceding febrile infection as a mandatory feature.

This syndrome describes an explosive-onset, potentially fatal acute epileptic encephalopathy that develops in previously healthy children and adolescents following the onset of a non-specific febrile illness. Usually presents in 3-15 year olds that have previously been healthy and developmentally normal. It always comes after a simple febrile illness. Manifestations include the sudden onset of convulsive and recurrent focal seizures. This is followed by refractory focal epilepsy along with a decline in memory and cognition. Psychiatric disorders and occasionally motor disability can be present in some cases. In serious cases, the disease progression can lead to a vegetative or semi-conscious state or even death. There may be a genetic cause for the disease, as seen in Dravet syndrome, but as yet no causative genes have been identified.

A rare, potentially fatal, epileptic encephalopathy characterised by explosive-onset of recurrent multifocal and bilateral tonic-clonic seizures following an unspecific febrile illness. The syndrome develops without a clear acute structural, toxic or metabolic cause, in a patient without previous epilepsy. FIRES is a subgroup of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and requires a preceding febrile infection as a mandatory feature.