Abstract
BackgroundFebrile seizures are the most common form of childhood seizures. Fever generation involves many cytokines, including both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Some of these cytokines also induce febrile seizures. We compared cytokine production in children with a fever alone (healthy control group) and febrile seizure children group. Also, we evaluated the cytokine level of children with a fever alone and febrile seizure history.MethodsFifty febrile seizure patients and 39 normal control patients who visited the emergency department of Konkuk University Hospital from December 2015 to December 2016 were included in this study. Blood was taken from the peripheral vessels of children in all groups within 1 h of the seizure, and serum was obtained immediately. Serum samples from patients with only a fever and a febrile seizure history (N = 13) and afebrile seizure controls (N = 12) were also analyzed.ResultsThe serum IL-10 and IL-1Ra levels were significantly higher in the febrile seizure patients than in the fever-only control, fever only with a febrile seizure history, and afebrile seizure groups (p < 0.05). The serum IFN-γ and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the febrile seizure patients than in the afebrile seizure group (p < 0.05). The serum IL-8 levels were higher in the febrile seizure patients than in the fever only controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe serum levels of the IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines and the serum levels of the IL-10 and IL-1Ra anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in the febrile seizure children. Furthermore, the serum level of IL-1Ra was more increased in the febrile seizure group than in the same patients with only a fever. Our data suggest that increased serum IL-10 and IL-1Ra may play potential roles as anti-inflammatory cytokines in a compensation mechanism that shortens the seizure duration or prevents a febrile seizure attack. Therefore, anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and IL-1Ra, have potential as therapeutic targets for the prevention of seizures and nervous system development of children.
Highlights
Febrile seizures are the most common form of childhood seizures
The proportion of boys and girls (26/34 vs. 20/19) and the body temperature at admission were similar in the FS and Febrile seizure (N = 50) Control (N = 39) Fever only with FS history (N = 12) Afebrile seizure (N = 13) p value
The current study showed that the serum IL-6 levels were markedly elevated in the patients with FSs compared to the afebrile seizure group
Summary
Fever generation involves many cytokines, including both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Some of these cytokines induce febrile seizures. Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common form of childhood seizures and occur in 2–5% of children before the age of 6 years [1]. Many studies have shown that the production and release of cytokines are regulated by the immune system and that cytokines can aggravate brain damage when acting as mediators of seizures [7]. Cytokines can exert both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects [4]. The fever threshold temperature for FSs varies among individuals as well as by age and maturation [8]
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