ABSTRACT 876

Abstract

Background and aims: Febrile convulsions are the most common childhood seizures, but their exact pathogenesis is not known. Aims: The purpose of this study is to determine any relationship between serum zinc and iron deficiency and febrile convulsions. Methods: 55 pediatric patients with febrile convulsions (group 1) were admitted to the emergency department of Ankara Training and Research Hospital between 2012 and 2013. Clinical and demographic characteristics and laboratory results of the patients were recorded. 29 healthy children (group 2) were included in the study as a control group. Results: Mean age of the patients was 2.5 years. 87.3% of the patients had undergone simple febrile convulsion. Most common fever source was infection in the upper respiratory tract (58.1%). The median value of serum zinc of children in group 1 was 19 umol / L, while in group 2, it was 12.4 umol / L. Children in group 1 had significantly higher serum zinc value than the control group (p = 0.001). The median serum iron of children in group 1 was 21 ug / dL while in group 2 it was 47.5 ug / dL. In group 1, the mean serum ferritin level was 20.1 + -12.9 ng / ml while in group 2 it was 57.0 + -34.8. Serum iron and ferritin levels in group 1 was significantly lower than group 2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.002 respectively). Conclusions: No relationship between serum zinc levels and febrile convulsions, while a statistically significant relationship between anemia and febrile convulsions was observed.