FREQUENCY OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN CHILDREN WITH FEBRILE SEIZURES

Abstract

Background: Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure in children aged 6 months to 5 years and are influenced by various risk factors, including nutritional deficiencies. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been proposed as a potential modifiable risk factor affecting seizure susceptibility and severity due to its role in neurotransmitter metabolism and neuronal excitability. Objective: To determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia among children aged 6 months to 5 years presenting with febrile seizures. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Govt Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital, Lahore, from 15th September 2024 to 20th February 2025. A total of 100 children aged 6 months to 5 years presenting with febrile seizures were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Exclusion criteria were applied to eliminate confounding conditions such as known neurological disorders, CNS infections, and malnutrition. Hematological parameters including hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were analyzed. Results: Iron deficiency anemia was present in 64% of children with febrile seizures. IDA was more prevalent among children under 2 years of age (67%), males (66%), rural residents (72%), and those with incomplete immunization (28%). Complex febrile seizures were significantly more common in the anemic group (75%) versus non-anemic children (56%). Significant differences were observed in hematological and iron profile parameters between the two groups (p < 0.001 for key markers). Multivariate analysis identified age < 2 years, male gender, rural residence, complex seizures, and incomplete immunization as independent predictors of IDA. Conclusion: It is concluded that iron deficiency anemia is significantly associated with febrile seizures in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Early screening and management of iron deficiency may reduce the incidence and severity of febrile seizures.