Publication:

Assessment of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume as inflammatory biomarkers in children with febrile seizures

Background Febrile seizures are common neurological events in children aged 6 months to 5 years and are usually associated with acute febrile illnesses. Inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to seizure occurrence during fever. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are simple complete blood count-derived markers that may reflect systemic inflammatory activity.

Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics at a tertiary care centre in Cuddalore district over a period of 12 months. The study included 40 children aged 6 months to 60 months who presented with febrile seizures. Demographic details, clinical profile, etiology of febrile illness and hematological parameters were recorded. NLR and MPV were calculated from complete blood count analysis. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results During a study 40 children with febrile seizures includes in the study who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria, in the study toddlers constituted the majority, accounting for 57.5%. Acute gastroenteritis was the most common etiology of febrile illness. The mean hemoglobin level was low 10.10±1.35 g/dl, mean MPV was (8.65±0.88 fL) normal, mean NLR was (4.00±1.52) elevated among the children with Febrile seizure

Conclusions Children with febrile seizures had a low mean hemoglobin level, elevated mean NLR, and normal MPV. NLR may serve as a simple, inexpensive, and readily available inflammatory marker in children with febrile seizures. Further well-designed case-control studies are needed to determine whether NLR can be used as a reliable predictor of febrile seizures.