Prospective Observational Study to Determine the Correlation between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Simple Febrile Seizures in Children

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia and simple febrile seizures are two most common conditions occurring in children aged between 6months to 60 months of age. It is postulated thatiron deficiency reduces the metabolism of some neurotransmitters such as monamine and aldehyde oxidase and this alters the seizure threshold of a child. Hence this study was conducted to correlate between iron deficiency anemia and simple febrile seizures. Methodology: It was prospective observational study. A total of 33 children were included in the study. All the children between the age group of 6months to 5 years presenting with simple febrile seizures were included in the study. Their iron status was determined by various parameters (Hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Hematocrit, RDW, serum iron and serum ferritin). And the iron status was correlated with the occurrence of febrile seizures. Results: A total of 33 children were included in the study. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in children with simple febrile seizures was found to be 69.7%. It was found that all the parameters. There was statistical significant difference in all the parameters between children with IDA and without IDA presenting with simple febrile seizures. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is an important risk factor which predisposes children to develop simple febrile seizures. It is a treatable cause, improving the iron deficiency anemia not helps in the overall well being of the child but also raises the seizure threshold in children prone to develop simple febrile seizures.