(PTFS16-04-26) Impact of Vitamin B12 and Malnutrition on Paediatric Febrile Seizures - A Case Control Study

Objectives: Febrile seizure is recognized as the most common neurological condition in paediatric populations. Global studies suggest that approximately 2-5% of neurologically healthy children experience at least one febrile seizure. Deficiency of vitamin B12 during early childhood has been associated with impaired cognitive functions, emphasizing its importance in brain health. The objectives of this study are:

Primary:
Comparing children with febrile seizures against a healthy control group and establish association between low vitamin B12 and febrile seizures

Secondary:
Establishing association of malnutrition and febrile seizures.

Methods: A prospective analytical case control study was conducted at JSS Medical hospital, a tertiary care teaching hospital. Inclusion- Children aged between 6 months - 6 years with a first episode of febrile seizures. Exclusion- Children with CNS infection, seizures disorder, metabolic causes, prior febrile seizures or those receiving vitamin B12 supplementation. The total sample size for study was 70 cases, which were divided into 35 cases (Children with febrile illness) and 35 cases (age-matched children without seizures or control group). Data collected and analysed were vitamin B12 level, nutritional status (WHO criteria), temperature, and socio-economic status. Categorical variables between the two group were assessed by Chi-square test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study showed mean vitamin B12 level in febrile seizure group (269.7 ± 89.4 pg/ml) to be lower (p < 0.001) than the control group(404.5 ± 113.6 pg/ml). The febrile seizures group had increased incidence of MAM (40%) compared to that of control group (22.8%). SAM (5.7%) was exclusively found in febrile seizures group.

Conclusions: There was a statistically significant association between lower serum vitamin B12 and acute malnutrition with the occurrence of febrile seizures. The study, using statistical data, established that the use of vitamin B12 screening and assessment of nutritional status would help prevent the occurrence of febrile seizures.

Funding Sources: None