Association between Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Febrile Seizures in Children Attending a Tertiary Care Centre - A Case Control Study

Background: Febrile seizures are the most common seizures in children. It is prevalent in children aged between 6 months and 60 months, with an incidence of 2-5%. On the other hand iron deficiency anaemia is the most common hematologic disease of children with a period of incidence that coincides with the time of developing febrile seizures. Therefore, it is hypothesized that there is a possible association between this two conditions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between Iron deficiency anaemia and febrile seizures in children.

Methods: In this case-control study 80 children with a diagnosis of febrile seizures, aged between 6 months and 60 months who were visited Pediatric ward of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong, Bangladesh during June 2012 to may 2013 were enrolled as cases. The control group consisted of 80 febrile children without seizure and were matched to the cases by gender and age. Iron deficiency anaemia was diagnosed by hemoglobin value <11gm%, serum ferritin value <30ng/mL and RDW > 15%.

Results: A total 36 out of 80 (45%) cases had iron deficiency anaemia whereas, 08 out of 80 (10%) controls were found to have iron deficiency anaemia. There was statistical significance of difference observed in two groups (P <0.001). Univariate risk factor analysis for control versus case showed odds ratio 7.364 (3.138 – 17.279) (95 % CI). The mean serum ferritin level of cases and controls were 43.01±29.77 and 72.36±38.66 (ng/mL) respectively (P< 0.001).The mean value of HB%, MCV, MCH, and RDW% were also found significantly lower in the cases than controls (P< 0.001).

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anaemia was more frequent among children with febrile seizures than those with febrile illness alone.The findings of this study suggest a positive association between iron deficiency and febrile seizures in children and screening for Iron deficiency anaemia should be considered in children presenting with febrile seizures. Early detection and timely correction of iron deficiency anaemia may prevent febrile seizures in children.