Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

Correlation between febrile seizures and cytokines in children: a retrospective study

Dong Yu1, Jia-Ni Hu1, Yan-Fei Chen1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Shaoxing People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China.

Brain & Development
|June 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Elevated levels of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) are linked to febrile seizures (FS) in children with respiratory infections. Cytokine profiles offer insights into FS risk and recurrence.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Febrile seizures (FS) are common in children, often following respiratory tract infections.
  • The role of specific immune responses, particularly cytokine profiles, in FS pathogenesis requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between serum cytokine levels and the occurrence of febrile seizures in children with respiratory tract infections.
  • To identify potential biomarkers for FS risk and recurrence.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 209 children with FS and 108 controls with respiratory infections but no FS.
  • Comparison of serum levels of various cytokines, including IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ, between the FS and control groups.
  • Analysis of the association between cytokine levels and clinical factors such as age, seizure history, and seizure frequency.

Main Results:

  • Children with FS exhibited significantly higher levels of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to controls.
  • Younger age correlated with increased IL-10 and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels.
  • Elevated serum IFN-γ (>21.60 pg/mL) may indicate a higher risk of seizure recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • IL-2 and IL-6 are elevated in children experiencing febrile seizures associated with respiratory infections.
  • Cytokine levels are influenced by patient age, seizure frequency, and prior seizure history.
  • IFN-γ levels show potential as a predictive marker for seizure recurrence in pediatric FS.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenCytokineFebrile seizuresInterleukin

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