Exploring the Impact of Iron Deficiency on Febrile Seizures in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Context: Febrile seizures are among the most common neurological conditions in children and typically occur between 6 months and 5 years of age. Emerging evidence suggests a possible association between iron deficiency and an increased risk of febrile seizures; however, findings across studies have been inconsistent. Clarifying this relationship is important for developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Evidence Acquisition: This systematic review examined the association between iron deficiency and the risk of febrile seizures in children and synthesized the available evidence regarding the potential influence of iron status on seizure susceptibility. Of 2854 identified studies, 16 met the eligibility criteria and were included after a comprehensive screening process. Studies published between January 2010 and March 2025 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and SID using predefined search terms. Results: Most studies reported lower mean serum ferritin and iron levels in children with febrile seizures than in febrile or healthy controls. However, several studies found no significant differences. Where available, meta-analytic evidence supported a modest but statistically significant association between iron deficiency and an increased risk of febrile seizures. Heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria, study design, and population characteristics contributed to variability in the findings. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests a possible association between iron deficiency and febrile seizures in children, indicating that iron status may influence seizure susceptibility. However, due to methodological limitations and inconsistent findings, further well-designed longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to establish causality and determine whether iron supplementation can reduce the risk of seizures.