Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and red blood cell distribution width is a practical predictor for differentiation of febrile seizure types.

OBJECTIVE

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common neurological emergency in childhood. They are divided into two groups accordingly clinical features, simple febrile seizure and complex febrile seizure. Until now laboratory tests have not been used as a parameter of classification of them. The objective of this study is to estimate the usefulness of the hematogical parameters especially neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in the differentiation of febrile seizure types.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on patients from 6 months to 6 years old presenting with first febrile seizure admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Epidemiological and laboratory variables of the patients were collected.

RESULTS

The mean NLR in the simple FS and complex FS groups was 2.18±1.9 and 3.8±4.2 respectively, and the difference was significant (p=0.024). The mean serum red blood cell distribution width in the simple FS and complex FS groups was 16.1±1.1 and 16.6±0.8 respectively, and the difference was significant (p=0.019). NLR and RDW values in complex FS patients were statistically higher than simple febrile patients. ROC analysis showed that if the chosen cut-off point for NLR is 1.98 the sensitivity and specificity are 66.7% and 60.3% respectively. These were statistically significant (p=0.040 AUC 0.623, CI 0.503-0.743). If the chosen cut-off point for RDW is 16.350, the sensitivity and specificity are 59.0% and 58.6%, respectively. These were statistically significant (p=0.037 AUC 0.626, CI 0.515-0.736) too.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR and RDW were simple, effective and practical predictors for differentiation of FS types. They will have potential values in public health practice for management of FS patients.