Tamilarasu N.1 , Kumaravel K. S.2 , Ramesh Babu B.3
BACKGROUND Several trace elements are found to play a significant role in the evolution of febrile convulsions by co-enzyme activity. The aim of the study is to estimate the serum zinc levels in children with simple and complex febrile seizures and compare them with serum zinc levels in febrile children without seizures. METHODS This prospective comparative study was designed to have three groups – children with simple febrile seizures, complex febrile seizures and febrile children without seizures. RESULTS About 46% of children with simple febrile seizures were in the age group of 1 to 2 years. Complex febrile seizures were common (40%) between 6 months to 1 year of age. The mean serum zinc levels in the simple febrile seizures group, complex febrile seizures group and no seizures group were 57.69 mcg/dL, 60.66 mcg/dL and 73.12 mcg/dL respectively (p=0.002). About 66% and 80% of children with simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures respectively had low serum zinc levels compared to only 20% in no seizures group. The multivariate analysis of serum zinc levels with various age groups (P=0.441) and gender (P=0.462) did not demonstrate any significant association. CONCLUSIONS The present study has demonstrated significantly lower levels of serum zinc in children with simple and complex febrile seizures. Further research should be directed to test the hypothesis as to whether correction of zinc deficiency prevents febrile seizures in children.
