Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children with first attack of seizure and on healthy control group: a
Razieh Fallah1, Behnaz Tirandazi2, Farzad Ferdosian3
1Department of Pediatric Neurlogy, Growth Disorders of Children Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Insights
Children experiencing their first seizure, whether febrile or afebrile, are more likely to have iron deficiency. This highlights the importance of assessing iron status in pediatric seizure patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Hematology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Seizures represent a common pediatric neurologic condition.
- Previous research on the link between iron deficiency and seizures has yielded inconsistent findings.
- This study investigates iron status in children presenting with their first seizure episode.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the iron status of children experiencing their first seizure, including febrile seizures (FS) and first unprovoked afebrile seizures (FUS).
- To compare the iron status of these children with a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted.
- Iron status was assessed in 150 children aged 6-60 months admitted with a first seizure.
- Participants were compared with healthy children attending a primary health care center.
Main Results:
- Children with first unprovoked afebrile seizures (FUS) and febrile seizures (FS) exhibited lower hemoglobin, serum iron, and serum ferritin levels compared to controls.
- Iron deficiency was more prevalent in children with FS (48%) and FUS (44%) than in the control group (28%).
- Iron deficiency anemia was also more frequent in children with FUS (26%) and FS (22%) compared to healthy children (10%).
Conclusions:
- Iron status assessment is recommended for children presenting with their first febrile or afebrile seizure.
- These findings suggest a significant association between iron deficiency and first-time seizures in children.
Objective:
Seizures are the most common pediatric neurologic problem. Research of the association between iron deficiency and seizures has shown conflicting results. This study evaluates iron status of children with a first seizure attack (febrile seizure (FS) or first unprovoked afebrile seizure (FUS) and healthy control group.
Materials & Methods:
In a cross sectional case control study, iron status of 6-60 month year old admitted children with first seizure to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital from August 2011-December 2012 were evaluated and compared with healthy control children that were referred to primary health care center of Azadshar, Yazd, Iran.
Results:
150 children were compared in three equal (FS, afebrile seizure, and control) groups. Hemoglobin levels in FUS (11.39 ± 1.07 g/dl) and FS (11.46 ± 1.18 g/dl) were lower than the control group (11.9 ± 0.89 g/dl) group. Serum iron levels in FS (38.52 ± 11.38 μg/dL) and FUS (42.68 ± 14.76 μg/dL) were lower than the control group (54.32 ± 13.46 μg/dL). Serum ferritin level in FUS (46.21 ± 27.63 ng/mL) and FS (48.91 ± 22.96 ng/ mL) was lower than the control group (75.13 ± 35.57 ng/mL). Iron deficiency (48% in FS, 44% in FUS and 28% in control group) and iron deficiency anemia (26% in FUS, 22% in FS, and 10% in healthy children) was more frequent in children with seizures.
Conclusion:
Iron status should be evaluated in children with a first attack of febrile or afebrile seizures.
