Zinc Status and Febrile Seizures: Results from a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective To estimate the serum zinc levels in children under the age of 5 years with febrile seizures and febrile children without seizures Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study from 2017 to 2018, 40 children with febrile seizures (simple and complex) were taken as cases. Forty age- and sex-matched febrile children without convulsions were recruited as controls. Serum zinc estimates were analyzed using a spectrophotometer (Biolis 50i-Autoanalyzer). Statistical Analysis The demographic variables and serum zinc estimates were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. The odds ratio was used to calculate the association of zinc deficiency in febrile seizures; 5% level of significance was considered. Results The mean serum concentrations of zinc in the cases and controls were 83.8 ± 33.1 μg/dL and 116.3 ± 30.3 μg/dL, respectively (p = 0.002). Hypozincemia defined by a serum zinc level of less than 63 μg/dL was found in 12 (30%) cases and 2(5%) controls with an odds ratio of 8:1. Conclusion Children with febrile seizures had significantly reduced concentrations of zinc in the serum.