All issues > Volume 51(9); 2008

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2008;51(9):1007-1011. Published online September 15, 2008.

Polymorphisms of interleukin-1β promoter in simple febrile seizures

Jang Won JW Yoon¹, Eun Jung EJ Choen¹, Young Hyuk YH Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Taejeon, Korea

Correspondence Eun Jung EJ Choen ,Email: koojook@medimail.co.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common type of seizure. The role of genetic factors in FSs has long been recognized. A positive family history can be elicited in 25-40% of patients with FSs; nonetheless, the genes responsible for FSs in the majority of the population remain unknown. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that acts as an endogenous pyrogen. Thus, IL-1β could be involved in the pathophysiology of FSs.
Methods
: To determine whether or not single nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-1β gene are associated with susceptibility to simple FSs, IL-1β promoter -31 and -511 genotyping was performed by means of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment (PCR-RF) length polymorphism in 40 FS patients (20 sporadic and 20 familial FS patients) and 33 controls.
Results
: There were no significant differences in the frequencies of -31 C/T and -511 C/T in the IL-1β promoter gene, between simple FS patients and controls.
Conclusion
: The frequency of CT/CT increased relatively in familial FS patients. A study examining a larger number of FS patients is needed.

Keywords :Simple febrile seizures, Interleukin-1β