Iron Deficiency Anaemia As Risk Factor For Simple Febrile Seizures: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Febrile fits is common problem in children. Among other risk factors, iron deficiency anaemia is considered as aggravating factor for febrile fits. Iron deficiency anaemia is preventable and treatable disease. The objective of the study was to find out iron deficiency anaemia as risk factor for febrile fits.

METHODS: It was a case control study. Thirty cases of febrile fits were recorded. Control group of 30 cases was taken at the same time with same variables but without febrile fits. Their temperatures and weights were recorded and laboratory haematological parameters haemoglobin, haematocrit, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red Blood Count (RBC) and Red Cell Distribution Width values were collected and analysed statistically with SPSS Ver 20.0.

RESULTS: In case group 21 had haemoglobin <11.0 gm% while in control group 13 cases had haemoglobin <11.0 gm% (Odd Ratio 3.0513 95% CI 1.0533-8.8390) Mean Haematocrit, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW had statistically significant difference between the two groups (p-value <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: As Iron Deficiency Anaemia is a risk factor for febrile fits, treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anaemia can decrease incidence of febrile fits.