SERUM ZINC LEVEL IN CHILDREN WITH FEBRILE SEIZURE

Febrile seizure is the most common type of seizure in children and a variety of causes are considered to be responsible for it. There are some reports that zinc may have a role in febrile seizure. The aim of this study was to compare the serum zinc level in children with and without febrile seizure. In this case-control study, 52 children with febrile seizure compared with 52 healthy children based on serum zinc level. Both groups were matched for age, sex, weight, height, and head circumference. The age range of children was 9 months to 5 years. Serum zinc level was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Of 52 children in case group, 30 (57.7%) were male and 22 (42.3%) female and among the control group, there was 31 (59.9%) males and 21 (40.4%) females. The mean age of children in case group was 27.13 ± 15.72 and in control group 28.49 ± 16.5 months. The mean zinc level in case group was 62.84 ± 18.40 μg/dl and in control group 85.70 ± 16.76 (P < 0.05). This study revealed that the serum zinc level in children afflicted with their first febrile seizure is lower than in healthy children and the difference is statistically significant. It seems that the zinc deficiency may play a role in febrile seizure.