Iron deficiency as a risk factor for first febrile seizure.

We conducted this study to determine the role of iron deficiency as a risk factor for first febrile seizure in children. Fifty children between 6 months to 6 years with first febrile seizure (Cases) and 50 children with febrile illness but without convulsions (Controls) were enrolled from the pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital. Iron deficiency was determined by estimation of hemoglobin, red blood cell indices and serum ferritin. The mean serum ferritin level (microg/L) was significantly low in Cases (31.9 +/- 31.0) as compared to Controls (53.9 +/- 56.5) with P = 0.003. Iron deficiency could be a potential risk factor for febrile seizure in children.