Nocturnal prolactin and growth hormone levels in children with complex partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Abstract

This study measures whether there is a rise in the secretion of nocturnal prolactin and growth hormone (GH), during the delta phase of the first sleep cycle in children who are suffering from either complex partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The findings are compared with those obtained in the control group of patients which is made up who suffer from pseudoseizures. There is a moderate but significant rise in the nocturnal prolactin plasma level in both types of infantile seizures. No significant difference was found in the GH.

Suppression of nocturnal growth hormone secretion in epilepsy with continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep

“…8 The effect of epileptiform discharges on nocturnal GH secretion is controversial. [3][4][5] The current patients are quite interesting because the serum GH levels were remarkably low during non-REM sleep when a high percentage of spike-wave bursts were observed. With the beginning of the REM sleep stage, when the spike-wave indices were significantly decreased, serum GH levels were markedly elevated.…”

Circadian Changes of Heart Rate in West Syndrome

“…These findings were consistent with those of Toshiaki et al (1992). Epilepsy influences the biological rhythms of some variables (Valdizan et al 1992;Bulau and Clarenbach 1995). On the other hand, the ultradian rhythms were less prevalent, and high-frequency (4h) rhythms were predominant.…”

“…Epilepsy influences the biological rhythms of sleep, melatonin, and hormones (Valdizan et al 1992;Bulau and Clarenbach 1995;Schapel et al 1995). However, few data have been published on biological rhythms in epilepsy and neurological diseases in children, and there is scarce information on the chronobiology of HR (Ardura et al 1997b).…”

Melatonin in Epilepsy and Febrile Seizures

“…These findings are not consistent with other studies, which stated that seizures influenced the biological rhythms of some variables. 10,12 Nocturnal seizures led to severe sleep disorders (and therefore to hypersomnia) and partial and generalized epilepsies had a different sleep profile. 10 A significant rise in the nocturnal prolactin plasma level appears in children who are suffering from either complex partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures.…”

“…10 A significant rise in the nocturnal prolactin plasma level appears in children who are suffering from either complex partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures. 12 Schapel has reported that melatonin production in patients with epilepsy increases and has a circadian pattern, which presents a phase difference compared with that of normal adult participants. 13 Our data confirms the existence of a melatonin diurnal pattern in epileptic children but, contrary to Schapel's data, we did not find phase differences.…”