The changes in serum inflammatory factor levels in children with simple febrile seizures and their clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines in children with simple febrile seizures (SFS) and to explore their correlations with clinical variables such as seizure history and duration.

METHODS

Clinical data of 60 consecutive children with SFS admitted to the hospital between January 2021 and April 2025 were retrospectively analyzed and designated as the SFS group. These patients were categorized into two subgroups: those experiencing their first seizure episode (premiere seizure, PS; n = 37) and those with multiple seizure episodes (repeated seizures, RS; n = 23). Additionally, a control group was established, consisting of 60 febrile pediatric inpatients without seizures who were treated at the same hospital during the same period. During case collection, basic clinical information was recorded, including age, sex, body temperature, WBC count, CRP, SFS history, family history of epilepsy, duration of fever, duration of seizure episodes, and length of hospitalization. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly higher in children with FS compared to those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 levels were significantly higher in the RS group compared to the PS group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). In children with seizure durations of ≥5 min, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 levels were significantly higher compared to those whose seizure episodes lasted <5 min (P < 0.05). The area under the curve for the combined differentiation of FS using all measured serum inflammatory factors was significantly higher than that of any individual factor alone (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 were markedly elevated in children with SFS. These inflammatory factors may be involved in the pathological process of SFS and are associated with seizure duration and recurrence risk, warranting further investigation as potential indicators for risk stratification.