Evaluation of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels in Children With Febrile Seizures: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Febrile seizure (FS) is a common pediatric neurological disorder, which may be associated with hypoxia and kidney injury. We aimed to investigate serum levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in children with FS. This case-control study included 50 children with FS, 50 febrile controls (FCs), and 50 healthy controls (HCs). We measured serum NGAL levels using a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum NGAL/creatinine values showed significant differences within and between study groups with the highest levels for the FS group (1382 ± 215), the middle for FCs (1133 ± 129), and the lowest for HCs (857 ± 97). None of the study participants had abnormal serum creatinine levels, and their values were comparable among the 3 study groups. In conclusion, children with FS may have increased serum NGAL levels despite normal serum creatinine, indicating that FS could contribute to subclinical renal injury without significant loss of excretory kidney function.