Zinc Supplementation for Prevention of Febrile Seizures Recurrences in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Multiple studies have documented lower serum zinc levels in patients with febrile seizures in comparison to febrile patients without seizure. However, there is limited evidence comparing the effects of zinc supplementation with placebo on recurrence of febrile seizures in children. To study the effects of zinc supplementation on recurrence rate of febrile seizures in children less than 60 months of age. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases for articles reporting randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of zinc supplementation with placebo on recurrence of febrile seizures in children aged less than 60 months. We performed a fixed effect meta-analysis to provide pooled odds ratio of febrile seizure recurrence. Quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE approach. Children aged less than 60 months. Zinc supplementation. Odds of febrile seizure recurrence. Four clinical trials with a total of 350 children were included in the review. There was no statistically significant difference between odds of febrile seizure recurrence during one year follow up, in children on zinc supplementation compared to those on placebo (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.41 - 1.18, I2 = 0%). Available evidence is very low quality and thus inadequate to make practice recommendations.