ABSTRACT
Introduction: Febrile seizures are seizures that occur between the age of 6 and 60 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, that are not the result of central nervous system infection or any metabolic imbalance, and that occur in the absence of a history of prior afebrile seizures. Aim of the study: To Estimate the HB, MCV, MCH variations in different types of Febrile Seizures. Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli, from 2017-2018.All cases of febrile seizures which include both simple febrile and complex febrile seizures between the age group of 6 and 60 months. The control group includes the children in the same age group with fever but without seizures Results: Among 75 children presenting with febrile seizures, 52 children were presenting with simple febrile seizures (69.3%) and 23 children were presenting with complex febrile seizures. Average mean Hb level in those children presenting with febrile seizures was 10.37 gm. Average mean Hb level in children those who do not have febrile seizures was 11.48 gm. The p-value between the mean Hb level of 2 groups was less than 0.001 which is statistically significant. In children with febrile seizures, the mean MCV was 70.83. In children, those who do not have febrile seizures the mean MCV was 77.89 which was higher than those of children having febrile seizures. The difference between the two groups was statically significant. Average mean of MCH in children with febrile seizures (23.69) was lower than the children those who are presenting without febrile seizures (27.58). Thus the p-value was less than 0.001 which was statistically significant. Conclusion: The hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group. The present study concluded anemia as a risk factor for febrile seizures and emphasizes the importance of prevention and timely intervention and management of Iron deficiency anemia in children to decrease mortality and morbidity associated with febrile seizures.
ABSTRACT
Background: Febrile seizures are one of the common reasons for emergency room visits in pediatric population affecting up to one in twenty children in various parts of the world. Though febrile seizures are commonly benign it is a source of major family distress and anxiety. Aim of the study: To compare serum ferritin level in simple and complex febrile seizures among children. Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli, from 2017-2018. All cases of febrile seizures which include both simple febrile and complex febrile seizures between the age group of 6 and 60 months were studied. Serum ferritin was estimated by the Ferritin-Turbilatex, by LAB KIT, CHEMEX, S.A. semi auto analyzer. Results: The mean average serum ferritin level in simple febrile seizures was 22.76. The mean average serum ferritin level in complex febrile seizures was 24.72. Hence, it was statistically significant that low serum ferritin is present in those with simple febrile seizures. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia was more frequent among children with febrile seizures than those with febrile illness alone. The result suggests that Iron deficiency anemia may be a risk factor for febrile seizures. Thus screening for IDA should be considered in children with febrile seizures. Fever can worsen the negative effect of iron deficiency anemia on the brain and a seizure can occur as a consequence. This suggests that iron-deficient children are more prone to febrile seizures.