Febrile convulsions is a common disorder in childhood. There are different hypotheses
about neurotransmitters and trace element changes in biological fluids which can have a role in pathogenesis of
febrile convulsions. Objectives: We aimed to investigate level of zinc, copper and iron profile parameters in 40
children with simple febrile convulsions aged between 6 months and 3 years and compare them with 40 agematched
controls with febrile illness without seizures in Banha city in Egypt. Methods: After informed consent,
detailed history was taken and clinical examination was performed for both cases and controls, blood lab to measure
serum ferritin by ELISA, iron, zinc and copper levels by Colometric method were performed for all studied children.
Results: The median serum ferritin levels in cases and controls were 10 and 46.5 μg/dl, respectively, the difference
was statistically highly significant (P = 0.00) and the median serum zinc levels in cases and controls were 53 and 95
μg/dl, this difference was statistically highly significant (P = 0.00). Also the median serum copper level in cases and
controls were 120 and 93 μg/dl, the difference was statistically not significant (P >0.05). We found positive
correlations between occurance of febrile convulsions and positive family history of febrile convulsions,
malnutrition. Low serum levels of hemoglobin, iron, ferritin and zinc. Conclusion: Serum ferritin and zinc
deficiency are risk factors for simple febrile convulsions while serum copper show no significant changes in cases of
febrile convulsions. Recommendation: Providing adequate iron and zinc supplementation in early childhood may
lead to significant decreases in febrile convulsions incidence in young children.
[Iman Abd El Rehim Mohamed Aly; Howyda Mohamed Kmal; Doaa Refaey Soliman and Mona Hassan Mohamed. |
