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Author Spotlight: Obtaining High-Quality CSF and Blood Samples for Epilepsy Biomarker Discovery
Published on: September 1, 2023
Analysis of cytokines and trace elements in children with febrile seizures
Rongrong Chen1, Shuangshuang Li1, Xiaokang Wang2
1Department of Pediatrics, Nantong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Nantong, China.
Insights
Low serum iron and calcium levels, along with elevated interleukin-6, are linked to febrile seizures (FS) in children. Monitoring these biomarkers can help predict and manage FS occurrences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Febrile seizure (FS) is a common childhood neurological condition affecting 2-5% of children with fever.
- FS is defined as seizures occurring with a temperature >38 °C without CNS infection or metabolic causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum iron (SI), serum calcium (SC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and procalcitonin (PCT) levels and the occurrence of FS in children.
- To differentiate these levels between simple FS (SFS) and complex FS (CFS) and control groups.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 65 children with FS, 60 children with fever and respiratory infections (non-seizure), and 60 healthy children.
- Serum levels of SI, SC, IL-6, IL-10, and PCT were measured.
- The FS group was categorized into SFS and CFS.
Main Results:
- Children with FS had significantly lower SC and SI levels compared to controls.
- Complex FS (CFS) cases showed lower SC and SI levels and higher IL-6 levels than simple FS (SFS) cases.
- Fever duration was longer in the FS group.
Conclusions:
- Decreased SI and SC levels, and increased IL-6 are associated with FS occurrence in children.
- Monitoring SI, SC, and IL-6 levels is clinically relevant for managing children with FS.
- Prompt correction of electrolyte imbalances is crucial.
Background:
Febrile seizure (FS) is a common neurological condition in children and affects 2-5% of cases of fever. FS occurs with temperature >38 °C without symptoms of central nervous system infection, severe electrolyte imbalance, or clear cause.
Methods:
From June 2018 to December 2019, 65 children with FS, and 60 children with acute upper respiratory tract infections without seizures who were admitted to the pediatric department, and 60 healthy children as the control group were selected for the study. The serum iron (SI), serum calcium (SC), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and procalcitonin (PCT) levels in the two groups of children were detected. The FS group was further divided into simple FS (SFS) and complex FS (CFS).
Results:
The duration of fever in the FS group was significantly longer than in the control group (P<0.05). The SC and SI levels of the FS group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The SC and SI levels of the CFS group were also lower than those of the SFS group (P<0.05), and the IL-6 levels of the CFS group were significantly higher than in the SFS group (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
A decrease in the levels of SI, and SC and an increase of IL-6 were closely related to the occurrence of FS, suggesting that clinical attention should be paid to monitoring changes of SI, SC and IL-6 levels in children with FS. As the levels of SI and SC decrease, the frequency of possible seizures may increase. Care should be taken to correct electrolyte disorders in time.
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