A Comparative Study of Pro & Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Children with Febrile Seizure
Article Information
Dr Ajay kumar saini1*, Dr Deepak Gupta2, Dr Susheel kumar saini3, Dr Seema kumari4, Dr Palak Hans5
1MBBS, DNB Pediatrics, SGMH, Delhi, P. No. 14, Ganesh nagar, Near kishor nagar, Murlipura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2MBBS, MD Pediatrics, Senior Consultant, SGMH, Delhi, India
3MBBS, MD Pediatrics, FNB Pediatric Critical care, Assistant Professor, NIMS medical college, Jaipur, India
4MBBS, MD Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India
5MBBS, MD Pediatrics, Artemis hospital, Gurgaon, India
*Corresponding Author: Dr Ajay kumar saini, 1MBBS, DNB Pediatrics, SGMH, Delhi,P. No. 14, Ganesh nagar, Near kishor nagar, Murlipura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Received: 20 July 2022; Accepted: 27 July 2022; Published: 29 September 2022
Citation: Dr Ajay kumar saini, Dr Deepak Gupta, Dr Susheel kumar saini, Dr Seema kumari, Dr Palak Hans. A comparative study of pro & anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in children with febrile seizure. Journal of Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health 6 (2022): 377-384.
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Objective: To compare the levels of pro and anti-Inflammatory cytokines in children presenting with febrile seizures v/s only febrile illness in age group of 6 to 60 months.
Study design: In this hospital based observational case-control study; conducted in Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, New Delhi 50 children (of age 6 to 60 months were included. Patients undergo relevant investigation to find out abnormality in complete blood count, liver function tests and renal function tests. Pro and antiinflammatory cytokine levels including IL-1β, IL-6 IL-10 & TNF-α were assessed by ELISA by using TECAN INFINITE F50 absorbance microplate reader.
Results: In febrile seizure cases; 72% children had simple febrile seizure, followed by complex febrile seizure in 28%. The median (25th-75th percentile) values of pro inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6) were significantly higher in febrile seizure cases as compared to control group. The median value of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 showed no significant difference in cases v/s control group.
Keywords
Febrile seizure, Children, Cytokines, Inflammation
Febrile seizure articles, Children articles, Cytokines articles, Inflammation articles
Article Details
Objective
Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common form of seizures in children. A febrile episode (core body temperature >100.4o F or 38°C) causing seizure in children aged between 6 months to 60 months, who don’t have any CNS infection, metabolic imbalance or history of afebrile seizure, comes under febrile seizure. In Europe and USA, the incidence of febrile seizure is around 2-5% and in India it is around 5-10% [1-3]. Pathophysiology of febrile seizures remains unclear; it is suggested that febrile seizure is an age-dependent response of the immature brain to fever, as studies in animal models have suggested that during the brain maturation process, there is enhanced neuronal excitability [4]. Over the past two decades there has been emerging evidence from both clinical and experimental studies that components of the immune response involved in FS may play a role in their pathogenesis [5]. In particular, studies have focused on the pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are released during fever (both peripherally and centrally), and their possible role in FS. Specifically, several studies have focused on the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), although other studies have also examined additional cytokines such as TNF-α, interleukin-1alpha (IL-1α) and interleukin-6 [5]. Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines regulate immune response. During infection, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines are produced [6]. IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 are pro-inflammatory cytokines that participate in the induction of acute- phase inflammation reactions, including fever. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-10 are anti-inflammatory cytokines and have a negative feedback effect during fever [6,7]. The balance between these two cytokine groups influences the severity of the fever. Complex interactions among immune-inflammatory process, cytokine activation, and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of FS [8]. Experimental studies demonstrate that inflammation and inflammatory mediators are the main causes and propagators of both febrile and epileptic seizures [9]. So, there is lack of sufficient data regarding studies of cytokine in febrile seizure patients, some of the studies showed positive association of cytokine in febrile seizure but some of the studies did not favor any association between cytokine and febrile seizure. Hence this study is being conducted to compare the levels of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in febrile seizures patients v/s control groups.
Methods
This hospital based observational case-control study was conducted in Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, New Delhi from January 2020 to December 2020. A total of 50 children (25 case and 25 control) of age 6 to 60 months were enrolled. Febrile seizure was defined as a febrile episode (core body temperature >100.4o F or 38°C) causing seizure in children aged between 6 months to 60 months, who don’t have any CNS infection, metabolic imbalance or history of afebrile seizures. Case group included 25 children of either sex presented with only febrile illness, without any seizure.
Children having any sign of central nervous system infection, RAT / RTPCR positive for COVID-19, any sign of systemic disease like heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, tumor, metabolic encephalopathy were excluded. Children with any chronic neurodevelopment problem, persistent neurological deficit, history of birth asphyxia were also excluded.
After taking informed consent from the parents, detailed history was elicited and physical examination was carried out. Personal information about the children, including age, gender and family history of seizure were collected from parents through an interviewed questionnaire.
In study population, core body temperature was measured and recorded. All children before admission in hospital were tested for covid-19 and both nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab were sent for RAT and RTPCR test. 5 ml of blood sample was collected in plain vial for baseline biochemical assessment of each patient. The sample was centrifuged and collected serum stored at 2º to 8ºC till sample reached via ice-packs container to department of biochemistry, GIPMER institute, New Delhi. Their serum samples were stored at -80°C Centigrade in different aliquots till further analysis of pro & anti-inflammatory cytokine levels was done. At a final step sample were tested by commercially available ELISA test for cytokines. Rest of the serum was used in estimation of serum electrolytes, liver and kidney function test. Another sample in EDTA vial was sent for complete blood count and in gray vial for random blood-plasma sugar estimation.
Assessment of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 IL-10 & TNF-α –
A capture Antibody highly specific according to the particular interleukin to be tested; was coated to the wells of the microtiter strip plate. Binding of specific testing interleukin samples and known standards to the capture antibodies and subsequent binding of the respective biotinylated anti-interleukin secondary antibody to the analyte were completed during the same incubation period. Any excess unbound analyte and secondary antibody was removed. The HRP (horseradish peroxidase) conjugate solution was then added to every well including the zero wells, following incubation excess conjugate was removed by careful washing by hydroflex microplate washer. A chromogen substrate was added to the wells resulting in the progressive development of a blue colored complex with the conjugate. The color development was then stopped by the addition of acid turning the resultant final product yellow. The intensity of the produced colored complex was directly proportional to the concentration of specific testing IL present in the samples and standards. The absorbance of the color complex was then measured by the microplate reader for ELISA and the generated OD (optical density) values for each standard were plotted against Expected concentration forming a standard curve. This standard curve was used to accurately. Determine the concentration of respective interleukin in any sample tested. Clearance from Departmental Ethics Committee and Scientific Committee was taken prior to the start of the study. All participants had the option to withdraw from the study anytime during their hospital stay.
The presentation of the Categorical variables was done in the form of number and Percentage (%). On the other hand, the quantitative data was presented as the mean ± SD and as Median with 25th and 75th percentiles (interquartile range). The data normality was checked by, Using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The cases in which the data was not normal, we used non Parametric tests. The comparison of those variables which were quantitative and not normally distributed in nature were analyzed using Mann-Whitney Test and normally distributed data was analyzed using Independent t test. Variables which were qualitative in nature, were analyzed using Chi-Square test. If any cell had an expected value of less than 5, then Fisher’s exact test was used. The data entry was done in the Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheet and the final analysis was done with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, IBM manufacturer, Chicago, USA, version 21.0. For statistical significance, p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant (Figure 1).
Results
In this hospital-based case control study 25 children of either sex falling in age group of 6 to 60 months presented with febrile seizure were included as cases and 25 children of either sex presented with acute febrile illness but without any seizure were included as control.
Distribution of age (months) was comparable between case and control group. (6-12 months:- 12% v/s 16% respectively, 13-24 months:- 36% v/s 20% respectively, 25-36 months:- 28% v/s 20% respectively, 37-48 months:- 8% v/s 16% respectively, 49-60 months:- 16% v/s 28% respectively) (p value=0.564). So, most cases were of 13-24 months age group. Mean ± SD of age (months) in cases was 29.8 ± 16.52 and control group was 34.72 ± 17.85 with no significant difference between them (p value=0.317). Distribution of gender was comparable between cases and control (Female:- 44% v/s 56% respectively, Male:- 56% v/s 44% respectively) (p value=0.396). No significant difference was seen in anthropometry parameters between cases and control group in weight (kg) (p value=0.443), height(cm) (p value=0.425). Mean ± SD of height (cm) in cases was 91.4 ± 16.34 and in control group was and 95.02 ± 15.52 with no significant difference between them. Median (25th-75th percentile) of weight (kg) in cases was 12(9.4-15) and in control group was 13.4(10.2-18.6) with no significant difference between them. In cases, type of seizure was simple FS in majority of patients 18 (72%) followed by complex FS7 (28%). Among case group; 60% children had previous history of seizure and no one had family history of seizure while on the other side in control group; no one patient had previous history of seizure or family history of seizure. Median (25th-75th percentile) of duration of fever (days) in cases was 1(1-1) and control was 2(1-3). Median (25th-75th percentile) measurement of fever (ºF) in cases was 101.5 (100.8-102.2) and in C1 was 102. 4 (101-102.8). Mean ± SD of hemoglobin (gm %) in cases was 9.64 ± 1.55 which was significantly lower as compared to control group 11.19 ± 1.51 (p value=0.0008). No significant difference was seen between cases & control group in liver function test parameters. For SGOT(U/L) (p value=0.126)] and for SGPT(U/L) (p value=0.453). Mean ± SD of SGOT (U/L) and SGPT(U/L) in cases was 31.36 ± 10.05 and 38.36 ± 15.9 respectively and in control group was 36.4 ± 12.68 and 41.88 ± 17 respectively with no significant difference between them. No significant difference was seen between cases & control group in kidney function test Parameters; for blood urea (mg%) (p value=0.648) and for serum creatinine (mg/dl) (p value = 0.93). Mean ± SD of blood urea (mg%) in cases was (21 ± 8.35) and in control group was (19.84 ± 9.47) without significant difference between them. Median (25th-75th percentile) of serum creatinine (mg/dl) in cases was 0.6(0.4-0.7) and in control group was 0.5(0.5-0.7) without significant difference between them.
Median (25th-75th percentile) of pro inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (pg/mL), TNF-α (pg/mL) and IL-6 (pg/mL) in cases was 125(110-232), 100(30-210), and 232(48-690) respectively which was significantly higher as compared to control group 87(56-125) (p value=0.001), 10(5-40) (p-value<.0001), and 47(27-80) (p-value=0.002) respectively.
Median (25th-75th percentile) of anti inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (pg/mL) in cases was 10(8-20) and in control group was 10(9-30) with no significant difference between them. (p value=0.66).
Demographic characteristics |
Cases(n=25) |
C1(n=25) |
Total |
P value |
Age(months) |
||||
6-12 months |
3 (12%) |
4 (16%) |
7 (14%) |
0.564‡ |
13-24 months |
9 (36%) |
5 (20%) |
14 (28%) |
|
25-36 months |
7 (28%) |
5 (20%) |
12 (24%) |
|
37-48 months |
2 (8%) |
4 (16%) |
6 (12%) |
|
49-60 months |
4 (16%) |
7 (28%) |
11 (22%) |
|
Mean ± SD |
29.8 ± 16.52 |
34.72 ± 17.85 |
32.26 ± 17.2 |
0.317* |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
25(15-36) |
34(20-54) |
29(17.25-48) |
|
Range |
11-60 |
8-58 |
8-60 |
|
Gender |
||||
Female |
11 (44%) |
14 (56%) |
25 (50%) |
0.396§ |
Male |
14 (56%) |
11 (44%) |
25 (50%) |
* Independent t test, ‡ Fisher's exact test, § Chi square test
Table 1: Comparison of demographic characteristics between Cases and control group
History |
Cases(n=25) |
C1(n=25) |
Total |
Type of seizure |
|||
No |
0 (0%) |
25 (100%) |
25 (50%) |
Atypical FS |
7 (28%) |
0 (0%) |
7 (14%) |
Typical FS |
18 (72%) |
0 (0%) |
18 (36%) |
Previous history of seizure |
|||
No |
10 (40%) |
25 (100%) |
35 (70%) |
Yes |
15 (60%) |
0 (0%) |
15 (30%) |
Family history of seizure |
|||
No |
25 (100%) |
25 (100%) |
50 (100%) |
Duration of fever(days) |
|||
Mean ± SD |
1.24 ± 0.44 |
2.04 ± 0.93 |
1.64 ± 0.83 |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
1(1-1) |
2(1-3) |
1(1-2) |
Range |
1-2 |
1-4 |
1-4 |
History related to fever((ºF) |
|||
Mean ± SD |
101.58 ± 0.84 |
101.98 ± 1.02 |
101.78 ± 0.95 |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
101.5(100.8-102.2) |
102.4(101-102.8) |
101.75(100.9-102.6) |
Range |
100.5-103.2 |
100.4-103.5 |
100.4-103.5 |
Table 2: History in Cases and Control
Pro inflammatory Cytokine |
Cases(n=25) |
C1(n=25) |
Total |
P value |
IL-1β (pg/mL) |
||||
Mean ± SD |
232.28 ± 296.11 |
85.24 ± 42.96 |
158.76 ± 222.19 |
0.001† |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
125(110-232) |
87(56-125) |
120(63.25-127.5) |
|
Range |
60-1200 |
14-175 |
14-1200 |
|
IL-6 ( pg/mL) |
||||
Mean ± SD |
710.04 ± 1182.37 |
80.4 ± 90.17 |
395.22 ± 888.74 |
0.002† |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
232(48-690) |
47(27-80) |
65.5(36-310.25) |
|
Range |
30-5000 |
16-366 |
16-5000 |
|
TNF-α ( pg/mL) |
||||
Mean ± SD |
204.36 ± 285.22 |
36.12 ± 53.34 |
120.24 ± 220.13 |
<.0001† |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
100(30-210) |
10(5-40) |
40(10-137.5) |
|
Range |
10-1200 |
4-175 |
4-1200 |
† Mann Whitney test
Table 3: Comparison of Pro inflammatory cytokines between Cases and Control
Anti inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (pg/mL) |
Cases(n=25) |
C1(n=25) |
Total |
P value |
Mean ± SD |
19.72 ± 19.94 |
20.52 ± 22.42 |
20.12 ± 21 |
0.66† |
Median(25th-75th percentile) |
10(8-20) |
10(9-30) |
10(8-27.5) |
|
Range |
3-75 |
3-110 |
3-110 |
† Mann Whitney test
Table 4: Comparison of anti inflammatory cytokine between Cases and Control
Discussion
This hospital-based case control study was conducted in Department of Pediatrics, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Delhi. Twenty-five (N=25) children of either sex falling in age group of 6 to 60 months presented with febrile seizure were included as cases. Twenty-five (N=25) children who came with only febrile illness without seizure were included as control group. Level of pro & anti-inflammatory cytokines were compared between case and control group.
In our present study demographic and anthropometry parameters such as age, gender, weight and height were comparable between case and control group. In our present study mean ± SD of hemoglobin (gm%) in cases was 9.64 ± 1.55 which was significantly lower as compared to control group [(11.19 ± 1.51) (p value=0.0008)]. Low hemoglobin in febrile seizure cases may be because of anemia as it is the potential risk factor for febrile seizure found in recent studies [10-13]. Iron deficiency reduces the metabolism of some neurotransmitters [11,12]. Several lines of evidence led to the hypothesis that iron deficiency can have a role in the onset of a convulsion. Some studies have reported that in the patients with iron deficiency, febrile convulsion was significantly higher than that in the control group .In our present study there was no significant difference seen between cases v/s control group in liver function test and no significant difference was seen between cases control group in kidney function test parameters. The main focus in this study was to compare serum pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels between febrile seizure cases and control group. Median (25th-75th percentile) values of pro inflammatory cytokines IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6was significantly higher as compared to control group while median value of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 didn’t show statistically significant difference between them.
Study found increased pro inflammatory cytokine IL-1 production of eripheral blood mononuclear cells of Febrile seizure patients after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide [5]. Also, in their study found that during the acute phase of febrile seizure, children had significantly elevated plasma levels of IL-1β, CSF levels of TNF-α. Similar findings were also seen in our study; that levels of pro inflammatory cytokine IL-1β were increased in febrile seizure cases as compared to control group [14]. Studied and examined levels of the pro inflammatory cytokine IL-1β associated with a febrile seizure [15]. They found significantly increased levels of IL- 1β in the hippocampus of animals with FS vs. without FS (p < 0.01). Conclusively they found increased hippocampal and hypothalamic pro inflammatory cytokine IL-1β compared to equally treated animals without febrile seizure, which was first evident at onset of febrile seizure in the hippocampus. There were no significant differences seen in anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA levels. Similar finding was also found in our present study while comparing pro inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, and increased levels of IL-1β seen in febrile seizure cases comparative to control group. Instead of IL-1RA as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in our present study we analyzed IL-10 levels. Similar results were found in our present study, as no significant difference was seen in anti-inflammatory cytokine levels between cases and control group. In their study reported that serum IL-6 was higher in children with FS than in healthy controls who had only fever [16]. In addition, the serum IL-6 levels in FS patients were much higher than those in patients who had undergone an afebrile seizure attack. These findings suggested about pro-convulsant action of IL-6 in febrile seizures. Their study pattern was similar to our study design.
We also found our study result in agreement with in their study found that the serum IL-10 and IL-1RA levels were significantly higher in the febrile seizure patients than in the fever only control, fever only with a febrile seizure history, and afebrile seizure groups (p < 0.05) [17].
The serum IFN-γ and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the febrile seizure patients than in the afebrile seizure group (p < 0.05). The serum levels of the IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL- 8 pro-inflammatory cytokines and the serum levels of the IL-10 and IL-1RA anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in the febrile seizure children. Similarly in our present study IL-6 levels were found increased in comparison to control group. But anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels didn’t show much significant differences between cases and control group. In their study measured multiple cytokines and compared the results between children with febrile seizures and controls [18]. They compared the samples of children with febrile status epilepticus (FSE) to children with fever & found that as the balance shifted towards higher IL-1β and lower IL-1RA, seizure threshold went down and the likelihood of febrile status epilepticus increased. On the contrary, as the balance shifted toward lower IL-1β and higher IL-1Ra, seizure threshold was higher and the likelihood of febrile status epilepticus (FSE) decreased. In our study while measuring IL-1β as pro inflammatory cytokine levels were found increased in febrile seizure cases in comparison to control group, but role of anti-inflammatory cytokine was not established in our study between cases and control group. Studied to compare TNF-α and IL-4 levels in patients with febrile seizure (FS) with those in controls and identified the relationship between cytokines and various other factors [19]. Fifty FS patients were included, 39 patients who had fever without seizures were enrolled as the control group. Median serum TNF-α level in the FS group (19.54 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in the control group (15.86 pg/mL). Their study supported the hypothesis that TNF-α production was involved in the genesis of febrile seizures. In our study we also followed same study design and compare the multiple cytokine levels between febrile seizure v/s only febrile illness group. Similar results were reflected in our study with increased levels of TNF-α in febrile seizure cases v/s control group. The findings in this study were based on the data collection from a single centre only. This study was conducted in association with nearby tertiary centre GIPMER, New Delhi, where cytokine analysis was done in biochemistry laboratory. In our present study we found significant association of anemia in febrile seizure cases v/s control groups as an incidental finding which may be confounded by other factors, such as genetics, nutritional state, or socioeconomic status.
Conclusion
Based on the result of this study it may be concluded that during episode of febrile seizure level of pro inflammatory cytokines increased in cases compared to control group, but anti-inflammatory cytokine level didn’t show significant differences between cases and control groups. Significant anemia was also found as an incidental finding in febrile seizure cases while comparing with control group. A comparative analysis of different cytokines in febrile seizure can be useful as diagnostic marker. A follow up study with analysis of different cytokines needs to be done at different time periods, once at the enrolment when child arrives in active seizure and after 48 to 72 hrs, to look for balance shift between pro inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. There are limited studies in Asian population on role of cytokines in febrile seizure. So there is need of multi centre studies with larger sample size.
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