Zinc levels in Febrile Seizure: A Case-Control Study

Objective: Febrile seizure is the most common type of seizure in children. Their incidence is 2-5%. There are different hypotheses about relationship between neurotransmitters and trace elements (such as zinc) and febrile seizure. Zinc, as a major element of some enzymes, plays an important role in the central nervous system (CNS) and can affect some inhibitory mechanisms of CNS. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there were any changes in serum zinc level in children with febrile seizure in comparison with febrile children without seizure. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 100 patients aged 6 months to 6 years. This study was conducted between October 2011 to October 2012, on 50 children with febrile seizures (case) and 50 febrile children without seizures (control), that were referred to KS Hegde hospital, Mangalore. Two groups were matched for age and sex. The serum zinc levels in the both groups were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Results: The mean Zinc levels were 132.0414.7 ?g/dl among the cases and 155.0917.57 ?g/dl among the controls, with a p value of 0.264. The mean serum zinc level was significantly lower in the febrile seizure group compared to the control groups but however the value was not statistically significant. Conclusion : Our findings r The mean serum zinc level was significantly lower in the febrile seizure group compared to the control groups but however the value was not statistically significant. It can emphasize the hypothesis that there is no relation between serum zinc level and febrile seizure in children.