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Correlation between serum selenium level and febrile seizures

Abolfazl Mahyar1, Parviz Ayazi, Mazdak Fallahi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Abolfazl473@yahoo.com

Pediatric Neurology
|October 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Children with simple febrile seizures have significantly lower serum selenium levels. This suggests a potential link between selenium deficiency and febrile seizures in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Febrile seizures are common in children.
  • Limited research exists on micronutrient roles in febrile seizures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum selenium levels and simple febrile seizures in children.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 30 children with simple febrile seizures and 30 controls.
  • Serum selenium levels measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
  • Statistical analysis performed using the t-test.

Main Results:

  • Children with febrile seizures had lower mean serum selenium levels (44.4 ± 10.9 μg/dL) compared to controls (63 ± 9.78 μg/dL).
  • 60% of children with febrile seizures had selenium levels below the normal range.
  • All control subjects had normal serum selenium levels (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Serum selenium levels are significantly lower in children experiencing simple febrile seizures.
  • A potential association exists between selenium deficiency and simple febrile seizures.
  • Further research is recommended to confirm this association.

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