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Evaluation of selenium levels and mean platelet volume in patients with simple febrile convulsion
Mahmut Abuhandan1, Abdullah Solmaz1, Suleyman Geter1
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Insights
Children experiencing febrile seizures often have lower serum selenium levels and higher mean platelet volume. These findings suggest selenium deficiency may contribute to seizures, while elevated MPV indicates underlying infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Chemistry
- Hematology
Background:
- Febrile seizures are common in children.
- The role of specific biomarkers like serum selenium and mean platelet volume (MPV) in febrile convulsions requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum selenium levels and MPV in children with simple febrile convulsions.
- To compare these parameters between patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 42 children with simple febrile convulsions and 30 healthy controls.
- Serum selenium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry.
- Mean platelet volume was evaluated from blood samples.
Main Results:
- Patients with febrile convulsions exhibited significantly lower serum selenium levels (P=0.002) and thrombocyte counts (P=0.01) compared to controls.
- Mean platelet volume was significantly higher in the patient group (P=0.002).
Conclusions:
- Low serum selenium levels may be associated with the occurrence of simple febrile convulsions.
- Elevated mean platelet volume might indicate the presence of infection contributing to febrile seizures.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate serum selenium levels and mean platelet volume in children who experience simple febrile convulsion.
Methods:
The study comprised 42 patients diagnosed with simple febrile convulsions and a control group of 30 healthy children. Blood samples were taken following a febrile convulsion. Selenium levels in the serum of both the patients and control subjects were measured with the hydride formation method on an atomic absorption spectrometry device and mean platelet volume was evaluated.
Findings:
When the mean values of the febrile convulsion patients were compared with those of the control group, the mean selenium levels and thrombocyte count were found to be statistically significantly low (P=0.002, P=0.01 respectively) and the mean platelet volume values were statistically significantly high (P=0.002).
Conclusion:
While low serum selenium levels cause the onset of a febrile seizure in patients with simple febrile convulsion, it is thought that the increased mean platelet volume shows infection activity causing febrile convulsion.
