Serum level of vitamin A in febrile children with and without seizure: A comparative study

OBJECTIVE: The role of vitamins and antioxidants in the febrile seizure (FS) has recently become of interest. The role of Vitamin A in seizure is remained controversial. It may suppress or provoke the seizure. In present study, the serum vitamin A level in febrile patients was compared with febrile seizure children for the first time. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study, eighty children aged 6–60 months including 40 febrile children and 40 children with FS were included. Blood samples were obtained, and the serum level of vitamin A and other blood parameters were measured. RESULTS: Patients were similar in demographic characteristics (p = 0.06 for age and p = 0.41 for sex). The serum vitamin A level was 0.19 (0.12, 0.25) and 0.22 (0.17, 0.29) milligram per liter (mg/L) in febrile and FS group respectively (p = 0.33). In children aged less than 24 months the serum vitamin A level in FS and febrile group was 0.22 ± 0.07 and 0.24 ± 0.12 mg/L respectively (p = 0.56). In children aged more than 24 months the serum vitamin A level in FS group was higher significantly in comparison with febrile group (0.25 ± 0.11 and 0.16 ± 0.07 mg/L respectively, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum vitamin A level was not different in febrile children with and without seizure. Surprisingly in children aged more than 24 months, the serum level of vitamin A was higher in FS group than in the febrile children. More studies are needed to confirm the present observation.