To understand further the role role of trace elements in pathogenesis of febrile convulsions, serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and CSF An, Cu, Mg and protein levels were measured by spectrometry in patients with febrile convulsion (n = 19), bacterial meningitis (n = 9), viral CNS infection (n = 16) and in the control group (n = 10) which consisted of children with signs of meningeal irritation due to upper respiratory tract infection but normal CSF findings. Samples were obtained within 6 h after admission to hospital. Mean serum and CSF Zn levels in the febrile convulsion group were significantly lower than in the other groups (for serum Zn: 0.66 +/- 0.03 mg/1 vs 0.98 +/- 0.07 mg/1, 1.06 +/- 0.08 mg/1, 1.05 +/- 0.09 mg/1 P < 0.05; for CSF Zn: 22.96 +/- 1.62 micrograms/1 vs 75.47 +/- 6.9 micrograms/1, 50.32 +/- 5.235 micrograms/1, 39.85 +/- 2.81 micrograms/1 P < 0.05). A linear relationship was established between serum Zn and CSF Zn levels (P < 0.001). Mean CSF Zn, Cu and protein levels in the bacterial meningitis group were significantly higher than in the other groups (for CSF Cu 63.94 +/- 6.33 micrograms/1 vs 38.77 +/- 2.70 micrograms/1, 35.84 +/- 3.48 micrograms/1, 33.86 +/- 2.88 micrograms/1 P < 0.05; for CSF protein 0.80 +/- 0.12 g/1 vs 0.22 +/- 0.02 g/1, 0.53 +/- 0.08 g/1, 0.19 +/- 0.01 g/1 P < 0.05). In children with meningitis, the elevation of the mean CSF Zn and Cu levels may result from the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and subsequent leakage of trace elements and protein from serum to CSF. There was no significant difference between the four groups in terms of mean serum Mg and mean CSF Mg levels.Serum and CSF Zn levels are decreased in children with febrile seizures. Zinc deprivation may play a role in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures.