Objective: To study relationship between iron and its indices [haemoglobin , S. Iron, S.ferritin and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) ]  with febrile seizures in children.

Material and Methods: 37 children with febrile seizures and equal no of age and sex matched febrile children (controls ) were included. After obtaining history and clinical examination, blood samples were obtained and sent for haemoglobin,S.iron,S.ferritin and TIBC. A stepwise approach was used to enter terms into the model with a limit of p<0.10,in univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression model was then used to identify independent risk factors for febrile seizures.

Results : Mean haemoglobin (10.81 ± 1.27vs 11.50 + 0.76g%), Serum iron (65.16 ± 36.36 vs 90.72 + 31.1 ug/dl) and serum ferritin (44.59 ± 28.52 vs 83.60 + 37.87ug/l) were significantly lower in febrile seizure cases as compared to controls .The number of children with abnormal Iron indices were also significantly higher in febrile seizure group. However, TIBC levels were comparable in cases and contol. On multivariate analysis S. Ferritin was identified as an independent risk factor for febrile seizures with an odds ratio of 0.673 (95% CI 0.460–0.984 ).

Conclusion:It was concluded that there exist a positive association between Iron deficiency anemia and febrile seizures.Moreover, S. Ferritin was identified as an independent risk factor for febrile seizure.