Assessment of Ionized Calcium Status in Febrile Seizures

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the brain. One of every ten people will have at least one epileptic seizure during a normal lifespan, and a third of these will develop epilepsy. In children the most common forms of convulsion are febrile seizures. Water electrolyte imbalance occurs during acute febrile illness and hypocalcaemia is one of them. Hypocalcaemia is also present in cases of seizures. To find out significance of calcium levels in cases of seizures this study was conducted. Aims: To assess the level of ionized calcium in cases of febrile seizure. Methods: This Case -Control study was conducted on fifty cases of febrile seizures and fifty age, weight matched controls and calcium deficiency determined in both groups. The serum ionized calcium levels were estimated by ion selective electrode method using Na, K, Ca analyzer. Results: Mean ionized calcium level was 4.62±0.26mg/ dl and 4.88±0.27 mg/dl in study and control groups respectively and this difference was found statistically extremely significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that a considerable percentage of children having febrile seizures are suffering from low level of calcium.

Simple febrile seizures in toddlers: Do they have low serum calcium levels?

“…In another study from Maharashtra, no correlation was found between low serum calcium levels and febrile seizures [8]. Another Indian study has reported a significantly low ionized calcium levels in children [9]. Similar studies have also been conducted in other parts of the world and a similar association between low serum calcium levels and febrile seizures was found [5].…”

A Retrospective Study of Clinical Presentation of Child with Febrile Seizure and Its Duration

“…Lower level of calcium, even if not in hypocalcemic range, is associated with occurrence of febrile seizure [12]. Ionized calcium deficiency has been proposed as a risk factor for febrile seizure [13]. A more comprehensive study is needed to determine if serum calcium level affects febrile seizure duration.…”

Association of Serum Calcium and Magnesium Level with Febrile Seizure

“…During any acute febrile disease, disturbances in water and electrolytes occur frequently. It has been suggested that change in serum calcium might enhance the susceptibility to seizures 1 . A common biochemical abnormality causing seizures is hypocalcaemia, which may manifest as muscle cramps, tetany, seizures and paresthesia 2 .…”