Correlation analysis between febrile seizure and serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D

ObjectiveTo investigate the serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D25(OH)D of children with febrile seizure in Langxi County, analyze the correlation of 25(OH)D with children's age, gender and seasons, and provide a clinical reference for supplementing vitamin D, preventing and decreasing the incidence rate of febrile seizure in children.

MethodsThree hundred and six inpatient children diagnosed by febrile seizure in the Pediatric Department of Langxi County People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 were set as the febrile seizure group, and 306 inpatient children with respiratory infections(aged 0-8 years old) during the same period were set as the non-febrile seizure group.The serum levels of total calcium, 25(OH)D and hemoglobin(Hb) in two groups were examined.The correlation of the febrile seizure with serum level of 25(OH)D was analyzed from the aspects of children age, gender and seasons.

ResultsThe serum level of 25(OH)D in the non-febrile seizure group was(34.47±1.43)μg/L, which was higher than that in the febrile seizure group(27.57±4.44)μg/L(t=3.26, P < 0.05).The serum level of 25(OH)D in the febrile seizure group was inversely proportional with the age of children, and the total serum calcium and Hb of the patients with febrile seizures were in the normal rang.For the occurrence of febrile seizures, the most common season was January(39 cases, 12.75%), the most common age was 1-2 years old(106 cases, 34.64%), and the incidence rate of febrile seizure in male was more than that in female(1.53∶1.00).The differences of the serum levels of 25(OH)D of children with febrile seizure in Langxi county among four seasons were statistically significant(P < 0.01).The serum levels of 25(OH)D in autumn, spring, summer and winter were(30.39±4.15)μg/L, (29.33±1.53)μg/L, (27.28±2.98)μg/L, and(24.69±2.08)μg/L, respectively.The regression equation between serum 25(OH)D level(Ŷ) and air temperature(X) in children with febrile seizure was Ŷ=-0.045X²+2.107X+9.442(R²=0.844).

ConclusionsThe occurrence of febrile seizure in children is correlated to the vitamin D deficiency.The 1-2 years old boys are most vulnerable to febrile seizures in January each year.The serum 25(OH)D content in children with febrile seizure begins to decrease after summer temperature >30 ℃.The 17-33 ℃ is the suitable temperature for children in Langxi County to produce vitamin D when their skin is exposed to sunlight.In addition to regular supplementation of vitamin D in winter, the children(especially those >2 years old) should take vitamin D orally in summer in order to reduce the occurrence of febrile seizure.