ABSTRACT
Febrile convulsion is the most common disorder in childhood with good prognosis. There are different hypotheses about neurotransmitters and trace element [such as zinc] changes in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, which can have a role in pathogenesis of febrile convulsion. The aim of the present prospective analytical case-control study was to determine whether there was any changes in serum zinc level in children with febrile convulsion during seizure. Ninety-two children aged 6 months to 5 years were divided into three groups: group A, 34 children with febrile convulsion, group B, 40 children having fever without convulsion, and group C, and 18 children with non-febrile convulsion. Serum zinc levels for the three groups were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry [AAS]. Data were analyzed to compare zinc level among the three groups using appropriate statistical tools employing SPSS 13. Serum zinc levels of groups A, B, and C had a mean value of 76.82 +/- 24.36mg/1, 90.12 +/- 14.63 mg/1 and 94.53 +/- 17.39 mg/l, respectively. Serum zinc level of group A was lower than those of the other two groups [P < 0.006]. It was also lower in group B than in group C [P < 0.006]. These findings revealed that serum zinc level decreases during infection; this decrease was more significant in patients with febrile convulsion