Objective:To explore the relationship between IL-1α-889C/T polymorphism and the susceptibility to pediatric epilepsy. Methods:IL-1α-889C/T polymorphism in 117 patients with pediatric epilepsy and 95 healthy individuals controls were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction restriction and fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP). Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals carrying at least one -889 T variant allele (CT + TT genotypes) had a significant increased risk for pediatric epilepsy (adjusted OR = 2.91,95% CI:1.27~6.69) , compared with the wild-type genotype (-889CC) . Furthermore, individuals with epilepsy or febrile seizures family history had a significantly higher risk (adjusted OR = 6.83, 95% CI: 2.30~20.29), compared with those with both CC genotypes. Conclusion:These findings support the hypothesis that IL-1α-889C/T polymorphism may contribute to the risk of developing pediatric epilepsy.