Objective: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children requiring long-term therapy using anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Chronic use of AEDs may impair bone health. This study aimed to determine the biochemical changes affecting bone metabolism in pediatric epileptic patients taking AEDs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 2019 to July 2019. A total of 95 children were enrolled based on non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Bone metabolism was evaluated by measuring serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels in all the study participants. Data was entered on SPSS v 22 and descriptive statistics were applied. Results: Of 95 epileptic children, 50.53% (n=48) were male and 49.47% (n=47) were females taking AEDs (either carbamazepine, valproate sodium or phenobarbital), 47.37% (n=45) were between 2-6 years of age while 52.63% (n=50) were between 7-11 years of age (Mean age: 6.53±2.54 years). Mean calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels of patients were calculated as 7.94±2.3 mg/dl and 226.31±17.45 IU/L respectively. Frequency of hypocalcemia in patients taking AEDs was recorded in 67.37% (n=64) and 81.05% (n=77) had raised alkaline phosphatase levels. Conclusion: This study concludes that frequency of hypocalcemia and raised alkaline phosphatase levels in patients taking AEDs is higher and needs attention to address this issue while the magnitude recorded in this study is primary in local population which needs to be re-assessed through multi-center trials.
Objective: To find the association between zinc deficiency and febrile seizures in children of 6 months and 5 years of age. Materials and Methods: Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study was carried out at the Department of Pediatrics, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi for a duration of six months (From 11th March to 31st August 2017). After taking approval of the Ethical Research Committee of Rawalpindi Medical College and taking informed consent from the parents/ guardians, children selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patient profile including name, age, sex, address, hospital number, serial number, date of inclusion in the study was noted. Data was collected from the Patient’s charts and/or by direct interview of the child’s guardian. Using aseptic measures, 2ml of blood from venipuncture utilizing a 22-gauge antiseptic needle, in no more than 24 hours of hospital visitation was reserved. Evaluation of serum zinc was completed in no more than 6 hours of collection. The copy was then given to the lab testing and thus this report was then approved by the physician. Results: In our study, out of 145 cases, 52.41%(n=76) were between 1-3 years of age whereas 47.59% (n=69) were between 4-6 years of age, the mean and standard deviation was calculated as 3.54 + 1.50 years, 50.34% (n=73) were male whereas 49.66% (n=72) were females. Mean serum zinc levels were calculated as 64.28 + 12.13 mcg/dl. The frequency of hypozincemia in febrile seizures among children presenting at tertiary care hospitals was 54.48% (n=79). Conclusion: These analysis outcomes depicted that children with febrile seizures had notably lesser serum zinc measures.
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