Fever and Seizures in Hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background & aim: Imbalance in serum electrolytes seems to play an important role in the development of febrile seizures. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine and evaluate the serum levels of glucose, sodium, calcium and magnesium in children hospitalized with fever and seizures in the hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Methods:The study population of the present retrospective study conducted in 2020 included all children aged 6 months to 5 years hospitalized in hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from the beginning of 2008 to the end of 2018 due to fever and seizures. The medical records of all patients who met the inclusion criteria during the study period were reviewed. Demographic and clinical data of patients along with serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and blood glucose were extracted and evaluated. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square and regression modeling. Results:In the present study, 300 children were included based on research criteria. 264 patients (88%) had simple seizures and 36 patients(12%) had complex seizures. The mean serum levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, glucose and magnesium in the studied patients were in the normal range. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference between serum levels of these variables in the two groups of simple and complex seizures. Based on the results of regression calculations, the previous history of fever and seizures in patients had the power to predict the occurrence of complex seizures (10-06 /11: 95% CI, p= 0.001, OR= 4.5). Conclusion:Serum levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, glucose and magnesium had no effect on the incidence of seizures in the studied patients. On the other hand, due to the high risk of complex seizures in patients with a history of fever and previous seizures, it is possible to help better manage and control the disease by taking the necessary measures.