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Subject Area

Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to assess serum level of selenium in children with febrile seizures (FSs) in relation to clinical findings. Background FSs are the most common form of childhood seizures. The exact etiopathogenesis is unknown. There were various hypotheses about the role of selenium deficiency in FSs. Patients and methods This case–control study involved 80 Egyptian children (6 months to 5 years), divided into four groups: group A included 20 children with FSs, group B included 20 children with afebrile seizures, group C included 20 children with fever without seizures, and group D included 20 healthy children. They were enrolled from emergency room and pediatric departments of Menoufia University Hospital, from February 2017 to February 2018. Detailed history, thorough physical examination, routine investigations, and serum selenium level were assessed. Selenium assay depended on measurement of serum SELENBP1 concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results Mean serum selenium levels were 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.53 ± 0.13, 0.70 ± 0.15, and 4.02 ± 0.86 in children with FSs, afebrile seizures, fever only, and healthy children groups, respectively. Serum selenium level in children with FSs was significantly low in comparison with children with fever only and healthy children (P = 0.024 and 0.002, respectively), but there was no significant difference in serum selenium level between children with FSs and those with afebrile seizures (P = 0.275). Conclusion Serum selenium levels were significantly low in both children with FS and afebrile seizure. Low serum selenium levels play an important role in FS and afebrile seizure.

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