Analysis of Oral Intake and Association of Serum Zinc Level with Febrile Seizures in Children

Abstract

Introduction: Febrile seizures occur in common childhood infections such as infections of the respiratory system, otitis media, acute gastroenteritis, and children respond to these infections with comparably higher temperatures. Aims and objectives: The basic aim of the study is to analyze the intake and oral association of serum zinc level with febrile seizures in children of Pakistan. Material and methods: This study was conducted at Allied hospital, Faisalabad during May 2018 to June 2018. The children of 1 year to 7 years were considered in this study. 5cc blood was collected by venipuncture under strict aseptic precautions and sent to biochemistry laboratory for assessment of serum zinc levels. Determination of serum zinc levels was done by calorimetric method. Results: Frequency of low serum zinc level was 26% in children with febrile seizures. Sixty three (63%) children were between 6 months to 3 years of age while rest of the 37(37%) were between >3 years to 6 years of age. Low serum zinc level in different age groups is given in table 01. Upper respiratory tract infection was the most frequent cause of fever evident in 24 children (24%) followed by tonsillitis 17 (17%), pneumonia 16 (16%), urinary tract infection 16 (16%), otitis media 15 (15%), and bronchiolitis 12 (12%) in children having febrile seizures. Conclusion: It is concluded that low serum zinc levels are fairly sufficient to support the hypothesis that Zinc deficiency could be a potential risk factor for febrile seizure in children.