title: Serum trace element levels in febrile convulsion.
abstract: Febrile convulsion is the most common disorder in childhood with good prognosis. There are different hypotheses about neurotransmitters and trace element changes in biological fluids which can have a role in pathogenesis of febrile convulsion. In this study, serum selenium, zinc, and copper were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the children with febrile convulsion (n = 30) and in the control group (n = 30). The age and sex of the subjects were registered. Selenium and zinc were found to be significantly lower in febrile convulsion cases than in the control group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the value of copper between the two groups (p = 0.16). While selenium and zinc levels were 44.92 +/- 10.93 microg/l and 66.13 +/- 18.97 microg/dl in febrile convulsion, they were found to be 62.98 +/- 9.80 microg/l and 107.87 +/- 28.79 microg/dl in healthy children. Meanwhile, copper levels were 146.40 +/- 23.51 microg/dl in the patients and 137.63 +/- 24.19 microg/dl in the control group, respectively. This study shows that selenium and zinc play an important role in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsion.
authors: Environmental Laboratory, Nuclear Science Research School, Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, PO Box 11365-3486, Tehran, Iran. M.Amiri60@gmail.com
authors: Mojtaba
authors: M
authors: Amiri
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Farzin
authors: Mohammad Esmail
authors: ME
authors: Moassesi
authors: Fattaneh
authors: F
authors: Sajadi
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000097:blood*; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003300:Copper; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc