Serum Interleukin-6 Levels in Children with Febrile Seizures

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To compare levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with febrile seizures andfebrile controls. Methods: Study conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in Northern India fromNovember 2013 to April 2015, enrolling 160 children (80 each with febrile seizures and febrilecontrols), aged 6 – 60 months. Serum IL-6 estimated by ELISA method. Iron study done asper standard technique. All the cases of febrile seizure were followed up at 1 week, 3 monthsand 6 months for recurrence of seizures. Results: The mean serum IL-6 levels in childrenwith febrile seizures was 62.0 (63.9) pg/mL and febrile controls was 86.9 (70.6) pg/mL(P=0.025). Conclusion: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in children with febrileseizures as compared to febrile controls.