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Association between iron deficiency anemia and febrile seizure in children

Hojjat Derakhshanfar1, Ali Abaskhanian, Hosein Alimohammadi

  • 1Pediatric Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Medicinski Glasnik : Official Publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
|August 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency anemia may protect against febrile seizures in children. Anemia incidence was lower in children with febrile seizures compared to controls, suggesting a reduced risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Febrile convulsion (FC) is a common pediatric seizure type.
  • Iron deficiency is a potential trigger for FCs.
  • Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between iron deficiency anemia and febrile seizures in children.
  • To determine if IDA influences the risk of FC.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 500 children with FC (cases) and 500 febrile children without seizures (controls).
  • Participants aged 6-60 months, matched for age, gender, and iron supplementation.
  • Laboratory tests included Complete Blood Count (CBC), serum iron, plasma ferritin, and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC).

Main Results:

  • Children with FC had significantly higher levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and iron-related markers compared to controls.
  • Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) was significantly lower in the FC group.
  • The incidence of iron deficiency anemia was significantly lower in children with febrile seizures (p < 0.016).

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests a potentially protective role of anemia against febrile seizures.
  • Anemic children may have a lower risk of experiencing febrile seizures compared to non-anemic children.
Abstract

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