The role of serum zinc and serum selenium levels in febrile seizure etiology

Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common type of convulsion in children and is the most common neurological disorder in childhood. FS is divided into two groups as simple and complicated febrile seizures. In developing countries, the incidence of FS is reported to be higher than in developed countries. Because of its frequency, high prevalence and high economic burden, studies on its pathophysiology and treatment have an important place in all over the world. Zinc and selenium deficiency have a role in the pathogenesis of FS. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of serum zinc and serum selenium in the etiology of FS. In this study, a total of 200 children admitted to the pediatric emergency and general pediatric outpatient clinic of Firat University Hospital between March 2017 and December 2018 were evaluated. Two case groups were formed; 60 children presenting with lasting less than 15 minutes, in a generalized nature and non-recurrent seizures within 24 hours accepted as ''Simple febrile seizure group (group I)'' and 40 children presenting with lasting more than 15 minutes, more than one recurrent seizures in 24 hours or focal seizures were accepted as "Complex febrile seizure group (group II)". The study included 50 children who were admitted to the pediatric emergency department with the complaint of fever but had no seizures as the first control group (group III). The study included healthy 50 children who were admitted to the general pediatric outpatient clinic for healthy child monitoring as second control group (group IV). When the groups were examined, serum selenium levels of the patients in Group III were significantly lower than those of Group IV. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the other groups. When serum zinc levels between the groups were evaluated; Serum zinc levels of the patients in group I, group II and group III were significantly lower than the patients in group IV. In addition, the serum zinc levels of the patients in group III were significantly lower than the patients in Group I and Group II. However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum zinc levels between the patients in Group I and Group II. There was no statistically significant difference in serum selenium and zinc levels between patients with and without recurrent FS in group I and group II. In this study, blood samples differed from other studies, especially since they were taken within the first 2 hours after seizure. In our study, there was a significant relationship between FS and serum zinc levels. There was no correlation between selenium levels. Also in the group without fever and seizure, the levels of trace elements were lower than the other groups. Therefore, we think that more comprehensive studies are needed to investigate the relationship between serum zinc and selenium levels in children with fever and those without seizures. Keywords: febrile seizure, simple febrile seizure, complex febrile seizure, zinc, selenium