Factors Cause the First Febrile Seizure in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Febrile seizure is the most common type of seizures which is experienced by 2 to 5 percent of children. Searches show that many primary studies have been performed on factors related to febrile seizure, putting whose results together is invaluable. Hence, the present study aimed to determine influential factors on the first febrile seizure among Iranian children, performing a systematic review. Methods: Primary studies were retrieved via searching national and international databases using relevant keywords of “febrile seizure”, “febrile convulsion”, “iron deficiency”, “fever”, “childhood”, “children” and their Persian equivalents. Following that, relevant documents were entered to the study using systematic review studies criteria. Findings: Twenty four, out of twenty eight, studies entered this systematic review, were case-control and the rest four were cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) studies. Most of primary studies respectively focused on determining the relationship between serum ferritin level and iron deficiency anemia with the febrile seizure (8 studies), determining the relationship between zing serum level and the febrile seizure (7 studies), and determining the relationship between family history of fever and seizure with the febrile seizure (7 study) in children. Conclusion: There has been consensus on the role of genetics and family history of fever and seizure and age of 6 months to 5 years as the prognosis of seizures following fever. However, multiple etiologic factors, such as trace elements, perinatal complications, family history of epilepsy, body temperature and etc., play role in febrile seizures, which need further studies with appropriate methodology.

Keywords

• Febrile seizure
• Children
• Trace element
• Systematic review