A Comparative Study of Pro & Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Children with Febrile Seizure

Author(s): Dr Ajay kumar saini, Dr Deepak Gupta, Dr Susheel kumar saini, Dr Seema kumari, Dr Palak Hans

Objective: To compare the levels of pro and anti-Inflammatory cytokines in children presenting with febrile seizures v/s only febrile illness in age group of 6 to 60 months.

Study design: In this hospital based observational case-control study; conducted in Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, New Delhi 50 children (of age 6 to 60 months were included. Patients undergo relevant investigation to find out abnormality in complete blood count, liver function tests and renal function tests. Pro and antiinflammatory cytokine levels including IL-1β, IL-6 IL-10 & TNF-α were assessed by ELISA by using TECAN INFINITE F50 absorbance microplate reader.

Results: In febrile seizure cases; 72% children had simple febrile seizure, followed by complex febrile seizure in 28%. The median (25th-75th percentile) values of pro inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6) were significantly higher in febrile seizure cases as compared to control group. The median value of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 showed no significant difference in cases v/s control group.