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Serum Level of Vitamin D and Febrile Seizure? A Clinical Study
Farhad Heydarian1, Elham Bakhtiari2, Hasan Golmakani3
1Research Center for Patients Safety, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Insights
Serum vitamin D levels were normal in febrile children. While lower in those with febrile seizures, the difference was not statistically significant, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Febrile seizures are common in young children.
- Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in various neurological conditions.
- The role of vitamin D in febrile seizures requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum vitamin D levels in children experiencing febrile seizures versus those with fever but no seizures.
- To explore potential correlations between vitamin D status and febrile seizure occurrence.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 104 febrile children aged 6-60 months was studied.
- Participants were divided into groups with and without febrile seizures.
- Serum vitamin D levels, demographic data, and other laboratory markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The mean age was higher in the febrile seizure group (26.36 ± 14.11 months) compared to the non-seizure group (16.26 ± 11.87 months).
- Serum vitamin D levels were slightly lower in the febrile seizure group (41.92 ± 22.42 µg/dL) versus the non-seizure group (48.41 ± 15.25 µg/dL), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08).
- Lower serum sodium, potassium, and platelet counts were observed in the febrile seizure group.
Conclusions:
- Serum vitamin D levels were generally normal in both febrile children with and without seizures.
- A non-significant trend of lower vitamin D levels was noted in children with febrile seizures.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to elucidate the relationship between vitamin D and febrile seizures.
Objective:
To evaluate the serum level of vitamin D in children aged six to 60 months with febrile seizure and febrile children without the seizure.
Materials & Methods:
Febrile children aged six to 60 months with or without seizure were studied. Demographic characteristics, serum level of vitamin D, and other laboratory findings were recorded.
Results:
Among the 104 children, 51 patients had fever without a seizure and 53 patients had a febrile seizure. The mean subjects' age was significantly more in the febrile seizure group compared to the without seizure group (16.26 ± 11.87 versus 26.36 ± 14.11 months, p = 0.001). The mean serum level of vitamin D in the with and without seizure groups was 41.92 ± 22.42 and 48.41 ± 15.25 microgram per deciliter, respectively (p = 0.08). There was no significant correlation between serum level of vitamin D and seizure occurrence (p = 0.07). The mean serum sodium and potassium levels, and platelet count were significantly lower in the febrile seizure group compared to the without seizure group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding hemoglobin, blood sugar, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, alkaline phosphatase levels, and white blood cell count (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
The serum level of vitamin D in febrile children with or without seizure was normal. The serum level of vitamin D was lower in patients with the seizure but not statistically significant. More clinical studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between febrile seizure and the serum level of vitamin D.
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