Relationship between iron deficiency anemia and febrile seizures: A case–control study

Abstract

Introduction: Febrile seizure (FS) is a common convulsive disorder of childhood, which affects approximately 2%–5% of children aged 3–60 months. The etiology of FSs is not clear. Different etiological factors have been considered previously that include familial (genetic) factors, prenatal factors, acute illness, the degree of fever, and finally, anemia. Relationship between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and febrile convulsions in children has been seen in various studies. Our study has also reported that IDA could be a risk factor for FS and can be considered as one of the modifiable risk factors that predisposes to FSs in children. Methods: It was a case–control study. A total of 150 (75 cases and 75 controls) were included between 6 months and 6 years who presented with febrile convulsion. The controls included 75 children between the age group of 6 months and 6 years who presented with short duration of fever ( 15%, serum ferritin value