European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY ON ROLE OF ZINC IN FEBRILE SEIZURES IN CHILDREN

Dr. Jasashree Choudhury* and Dr. Sidharth Sraban Routray

ABSTRACT

Background : Febrile seizure is the most common type of Seizure in paediatric age. The objective of the present study was to compare the serum zinc levels in children with febrile seizure in healthy children. Methods: A total of 120 infants and children aged between 6 months to 6 years were included. The study comprised of 3 groups – Group A: Children with febrile seizures (40 cases), Group B: Children with only fever, but no seizures (40 cases) and Group C: Healthy children (40 cases). Serum zinc level was measured by colorimetric method and compared among the groups using statistical methods. Results: There was no significant difference in sex, age, weight, height and head circumference between the three groups (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding temperature at the time admission. Mean serum zinc level was 40.41 ±13.15 μgm/dl, 65.84± 17 μgm/dl and 88.00 ±18.36 μgm/dl in Groups A, Group B and Group C respectively. Serum zinc level was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B and it was significantly lower in group B compared to Group C. Conclusions : Serum zinc level was lower in children with simple febrile seizures as compared to children with acute febrile illness and healthy children which were found to be statistically significant.

Keywords: Zinc, febrile seizure, children.