Hypocalcemic seizure and related factors after neonatal period; A single-center, retrospective study

Seizures are the most common disorder of the central nervous system in childhood and constitute a significant number of admissions to the pediatric emergency departments. The aim of this study is evaluate the etiology of hypocalcemic seizures in pediatrics. A single-center, hospital based descriptive study was done in the academic referral center for hypocalcemic seizure of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data was evaluated based on the medical records of each patient. Case files of these children’s were analyzed for age at presentation, sex, weight, clinical features, biochemical parameters (serum calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase), type of seizure, history of previous seizure and history of drug intake. A total 38 children with hypocalcemic seizure, consisting of 19 boys and 19 girls, with ages ranging from one month to 14 years, were enrolled in this study. The most common patterns of seizures were generalized seizures (83.8%). the mean levels of serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly greater in patients under the age of 2 years (1234 ± 541.03) rather above than 7 years of age (922.75 ± 147.45) (p =. 021). Rickets was the commonest cause of seizures rickets were diagnosis in 80.8% subjects under 2 years of age, whereas none of those over 7 years old had not rickets, these results were statistically significant (p =. 015). Current observational study indicates that rickets could be a major cause of hypocalcemic convulsion in infants and children. Screening children presenting with hypocalcemic convulsions for rickets and/or other cause of hypocalcemia can help in early diagnosis and institution of specific therapy.