Effect of iron deficiency anemia on simple and complex febrile seizures in children in Karbala province.

Abstract

Background: Febrile convulsion is the most common central nervous system disease seen in children. There are hypotheses that threshold of neuron excitation may be affected by iron deficiency anemia. Effect of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) on febrile seizures and recurrent febrile seizure is investigated. Materials and Methods: Across sectional study was conducted among 121 children with febrile convulsion who divided into 2 groups: 70 with simple febrile seizure and 51 with complex febrile seizure. Results: No significant differences had been found between both groups in demographic variables. Analysis of blood showed that low levels of Hemoglobin (HB), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and S. ferritin levels and high Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) were more frequent in complex group than simple group at P value<0.05. Iron deficiency anemia was found in 24% of all patients. Recurrence of febrile seizure was 52.1% of all patient, was more likely to occur in IDA patients than those with no IDA in about 2.5 folds, (OR=2.53, Pvalue= 0.037). Conclusion: Febrile seizures associated with iron deficiency anemia. Complex febrile seizure is more frequent with iron deficiency anemia than in those with simple febrile seizures. Febrile seizures are significantly associated with higher recurrence in patients with iron deficiency anemia.