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Category: Volume 07 Issue 09 September 2019
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Title: The Role of Iron Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Febrile Seizures

Authors: Dr Kuppusamy, Dr Shiv Narayan Panda, Dr S S Dalal, Dr Vandana Negi

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i9.14

Abstract

     

Introduction: Iron plays an important role in synthesis of various neurotransmitters in the brain. Iron deficiency, by altering neurotransmitter levels, may predispose children with iron deficiency to increased risk of febrile seizures.

Aims and Objectives: To study the role of iron deficiency as a risk factor for febrile seizures in children 6 to 60 months of age and to identify the peak age group of febrile seizures.

Methods: Case control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India from October 2016 to children between 6 to 60 months of age admitted with febrile seizure were included as cases (n=50) and age matched children admitted with short febrile illness without seizures as controls (n=50). Complete haemogram, serum iron and ferritin levels were compared between the cases and controls. Iron deficiency was defined as Hb< 11g/dl and serum ferritin < 30ng/ml in the presence of fever (as per WHO guidelines).

Results: 74% of the cases had low serum ferritin levels compared to 20% among the controls (p=0.001). Mean serum ferritin levels were significantly low in cases compared to controls (28.6ng/ml Vs 92.1µg/L). Also mean haemoglobin concentration (11.2 Vs 12.1, P value 0.004), mean MCV (67.9 Vs 77.8, P value 0.000) were significantly low and mean TIBC levels were significantly high (468.3 Vs 315.2, P value 0.002) in febrile seizure group than in the control group. The febrile seizures were common in the age group between 1year and 3 years.

Conclusion: Children with low iron stores are at higher risk for febrile seizures.

Keywords: Iron Deficiency, Febrile Seizures.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Shiv Narayan Panda

Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Command Hospital Air Force, Bangalore-560007, Karnataka, India