The significance of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio in the aetiology of febrile seizures in children

Introduction
Febrile seizures are seizure episodes associated with fever, occurring in the absence of central nervous system infection or other specific seizure-inducing causes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) indicators with febrile seizures, which may help explain the role of inflammation in the aetiology of this condition.

Material and methods
This was a retrospective study. The study group consisted of 54 cases of children diagnosed with simple febrile seizures, and the control group (CG) included 54 patients of comparable age hospitalized due to infections accompanied by fever but without seizures. The analysis included data obtained from available medical history and laboratory tests performed upon admission to the hospital (gender, age, month of hospitalisation, absolute counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, concentrations of sodium, potassium, total calcium, iron, and glucose). Additionally, NLR and PLR indicators were calculated for each patient.

Results
It was observed that febrile seizures occurred more frequently in boys than in girls, with the highest number of hospitalisations for febrile seizures recorded in February and September. Higher values of neutrophils, NLR, PLR, and glucose, as well as lower levels of CRP, sodium, and lymphocyte counts, were found in children with febrile seizures compared to children in the CG.

Conclusions
Higher values of NLR and PLR indicators in children with febrile seizures, compared to children with fever without seizures, may confirm the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures. The availability, low cost, and demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of these indicators may translate into their clinical application value.