[P1-89] The Association between Iron Deficiency and Febrile Seizures in Children
[Purpose]Febrile seizures are most common type of seizures in the first five years of life, and many factors that increase seizure risk have been identified. Some studies have reported that iron deficiency could be a risk factor for febrile seizure however, its association is still under debate. The purpose of this study is to identify the association between iron status and febrile seizures in children.
[Methods] This prospective study was performed from August, 2015 to May, 2016. Thirty-four febrile illness controls and 24 febrile seizure cases, between 6 to 60 month of age were included in the study. Complete blood cell count, Serum iron, plasma ferritin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation were measured of all children in both control and case groups and compared between the two groups.
[Results] Thirty-three percent of children with febrile seizures and 38% of control group had iron deficiency anemia (Hemoglobin<12g/dL), which was not significantly different (P= 0.786). However, low transferrin saturation (<16%) was more prevalent in febrile seizure group (100% vs 73.5%, P= 0.01). Hemoglobin, MCV, MCHC, and RDW levels were not significantly different between case and control groups, whereas mean plasma ferritin level was lower in children with febrile seizure than in controls. (38.4± 20.5 ng/dL vs. 60.9± 53.1 ng/dL, P= 0.005).
[Conclusion] Serum iron levels, plasma ferritin and transferrin saturation were significantly low in children with febrile seizure compared with control group. These findings suggest that iron deficiency is associated with an increased risk of febrile seizures.
[Methods] This prospective study was performed from August, 2015 to May, 2016. Thirty-four febrile illness controls and 24 febrile seizure cases, between 6 to 60 month of age were included in the study. Complete blood cell count, Serum iron, plasma ferritin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation were measured of all children in both control and case groups and compared between the two groups.
[Results] Thirty-three percent of children with febrile seizures and 38% of control group had iron deficiency anemia (Hemoglobin<12g/dL), which was not significantly different (P= 0.786). However, low transferrin saturation (<16%) was more prevalent in febrile seizure group (100% vs 73.5%, P= 0.01). Hemoglobin, MCV, MCHC, and RDW levels were not significantly different between case and control groups, whereas mean plasma ferritin level was lower in children with febrile seizure than in controls. (38.4± 20.5 ng/dL vs. 60.9± 53.1 ng/dL, P= 0.005).
[Conclusion] Serum iron levels, plasma ferritin and transferrin saturation were significantly low in children with febrile seizure compared with control group. These findings suggest that iron deficiency is associated with an increased risk of febrile seizures.