Iron Status in Children Less Than 6 Years Suffering from Febrile Convulsions in Upper Egypt: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Febrile seizures in pediatric, represent the most common seizure disorder during childhood and exist only in association  with an elevated temperature. A youngster between the ages of six months and six years experiences it. Febrile seizure is a benign  condition with excellent prognosis and with a recurrence rate of 20 to 30%.

Objective: This research aimed to evaluate the iron status of children aged 6 months to 6 years who were experiencing febrile  convulsions in order to determine the effect of iron deficiency anemia in light of the high frequency of both conditions in children.  

Methods: Fifty children with febrile seizures (patient group) and fifty healthy children of similar age and gender (control group)  participated in this research. The study was carried out from June 2016 to June 2017, in the Outpatient Clinic and Pediatric Department of  Aswan University Hospital. The children who underwent laboratory testing ranged in age from 6 months to 6 years.

Results: The current  study reported that 56% of cases of febrile convulsions had iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, we discovered that, in contrast to  controls, cases of febrile convulsions had lower blood levels of ferritin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular  hemoglobin. We discovered that, in contrast to controls, patients with febrile convulsions had higher mean platelet count, total iron  binding capacity, and red cell distribution width.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia acts as a possible high-risk factor for development  of febrile seizures in children aged from 6 months to 6 years.