Serum Interleukin-6 Levels in Children with Febrile Seizures

Objectives: To compare levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with febrile seizures and febrile controls. Methods: Study conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in Northern India from November 2013 to April 2015, enrolling 160 children (80 each with febrile seizures and febrile controls), aged 6 - 60 months. Serum IL-6 estimated by ELISA method. Iron study done as per standard technique. All the cases of febrile seizure were followed up at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months for recurrence of seizures. Results: The mean serum IL-6 levels in children with febrile seizures was 62.0 (63.9) pg/mL and febrile controls was 86.9 (70.6) pg/mL (P=0.025). Conclusion: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in children with febrile seizures as compared to febrile controls.