Comparative Study of Serum Potassium Levels in Children with Febrile Seizures and Febrile Children without Seizures

Abstract

Background Febrile Seizure is considered as one of the most common seizure disorders during childhood. The purpose of this study is to compare serum potassium levels in children with febrile seizures and febrile children without seizures. Materials and Methods In this case study, 320 children admitted to Ghaem Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) aged six to 60 months were selected. In the case group, there were 160 children with febrile seizures, and in the control group, there were 160 febrile children without seizures. Potassium serum levels at the time of hospitalization as well as age, gender, duration and cause of fever, duration of hospital stay, and family history of seizures in both groups were investigated and compared. Results Potassium serum levels were significantly higher in children with seizures than in those without seizures (P=0.007). Among children with seizures, those with complex seizures had significantly higher potassium levels (P=0.024). The binary regression test showed that the level of potassium was a risk factor for febrile seizures (P = 0.025). Conclusion Based on the results, higher potassium serum levels can be a risk factor in febrile seizure.