Comparison of Serum Selenium, Homocysteine, Zinc, and Vitamin D Levels in Febrile Children with and without Febrile Seizures: A Prospective Single-Center Study

Abstract

Objective: Febrile seizure is a complication that makes physicians and families uneasy when detected in children with a high fevers. This study aimed to compare children with febrile seizures and children without seizures in blood selenium, zinc, homocysteine, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and magnesium levels. Materials and Methods: The study group included sixty-one children between the ages of 1–5 who came to the pediatric emergency department with febrile seizure. The control group had 61 children with fever without seizure, who were compatible with the study group in age, sex, and elapsed time since the onset of fever. Blood samples were taken from the patients during their admission. Selenium, zinc, vitamin D, homocysteine, vitamin B12, and magnesium levels were measured, and the data of the two groups were compared. Additionally, patients in the study group had two subgroups, simple and complex febrile seizures, and their parameters were compared. Results: Selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in homocysteine (p = 0.990) and magnesium levels (p = 0.787) between the two groups. Moreover, no significant difference was found between those with simple and complex febrile seizures in selenium, vitamin D, homocysteine, vitamin B12, and magnesium levels. Conclusions: Elevated levels of selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 in the blood of children with fevers help to prevent febrile seizures.