[Correlation between iron deficiency anemia and febrile convulsion]

Febrile convulsion is the most common neurological disease of childhood. Regarding the current hypotheses about possible effect of iron deficiency on prevention of febrile convulsion and its relationship to neuronal stimulation threshold, we conducted this study to evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and simple febrile convulsion. In this case-control study, 382 children who met our inclusion criteria and had been admitted in Arak Amirkabir Hospital were assigned to two groups: case [with febrile convulsion] and control [other febrile diseases]. After the fever subsided, a 5 cc sample of blood was taken from every patient for complete blood count and iron reserve profile. The results were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. Iron deficiency anemia was significantly less frequent in our case group compared to the control group [22.5% vs. 34.0%] [p<0.001]. CBC indices such as Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC were significantly [p<0.001] higher in the case group in comparison to the control group. Iron deficiency can prevent the febrile convulsion probably by increasing neuronal excitation threshold