TO STUDY THE ROLE OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN FEBRILE SEIZURES IN CHILDREN

Dr. Sudhir Mehta*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The world health organization estimates that anaemia largely caused by iron deficiency, affecting between 500 million and two billion people worldwide. Considering the age prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and febrile convulsion which are the same, the role of iron in the metabolism of neurotransmitter and some enzymes and since fever can exacerbate symptoms that result from anaemia, a relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and febrile convulsions is probable. Some studies have suggested iron deficiency as a predisposing factor for febrile seizures. Material and methods: A case control study was done to evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and febrile convulsions. The objective of this study was to study the role of iron deficiency as a risk factor for febrile seizures. 70 cases and 70 controls were included in the study. Cases were children of age group 6 months to 6 years presenting with febrile seizures. Controls were children of same age group presenting with febrile illness but without any seizures. A detailed history and clinical examination done in both cases and controls matched for age and sex and blood investigations were done to diagnose iron deficiency anemia. In all children hemoglobin (Hb) level, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), red cell distribution width (RDW) and plasma ferritin (PF) were determined and the data collected were analyzed statistically. Results: The mean PF was significantly lower in cases compared to controls (p=0.001) and RDW was significantly higher in cases compared to controls (p=0.001). The mean Hb%, MCV were lower in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: Iron deficiency is a significant risk factor for febrile seizures in children of age group six months to six years. Early detection and timely correction of iron deficiency may be helpful for prevention of febrile seizures in children.

Keywords: Febrile seizures, iron deficiency anemia, children.