title: Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children with first attack of seizure and on healthy control group: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Seizures are the most common pediatric neurologic problem. Research of the association between iron deficiency and seizures has shown conflicting results. This study evaluates iron status of children with a first seizure attack (febrile seizure (FS) or first unprovoked afebrile seizure (FUS) and healthy control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross sectional case control study, iron status of 6-60 month year old admitted children with first seizure to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital from August 2011-December 2012 were evaluated and compared with healthy control children that were referred to primary health care center of Azadshar, Yazd, Iran.
  
  
  RESULTS
  150 children were compared in three equal (FS, afebrile seizure, and control) groups. Hemoglobin levels in FUS (11.39 ± 1.07 g/dl) and FS (11.46 ± 1.18 g/dl) were lower than the control group (11.9 ± 0.89 g/dl) group. Serum iron levels in FS (38.52 ± 11.38 μg/dL) and FUS (42.68 ± 14.76 μg/dL) were lower than the control group (54.32 ± 13.46 μg/dL). Serum ferritin level in FUS (46.21 ± 27.63 ng/mL) and FS (48.91 ± 22.96 ng/ mL) was lower than the control group (75.13 ± 35.57 ng/mL). Iron deficiency (48% in FS, 44% in FUS and 28% in control group) and iron deficiency anemia (26% in FUS, 22% in FS, and 10% in healthy children) was more frequent in children with seizures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iron status should be evaluated in children with a first attack of febrile or afebrile seizures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurlogy, Growth Disorders of Children Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Razieh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tirandazi
authors.affiliation: Subspecialty in Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferdosian
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Nafiseh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fadavi
keywords: Febrile Seizure; First Unprovoked Seizure; Iron deficiency; Iron deficiency anemia; Seizure