Evaluation of Different Serum Parameters (Glucose, Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium) in Children Admitted with Fever and Seizures in Hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Imbalance in serum electrolytes seems to play an important role in the development of febrile seizures. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of glucose, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in children with febrile seizures admitted to hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from March 2008 to March 2019.

In this retrospective study, the medical records of all patients who met the inclusion criteria during the study period were reviewed. Demographic and clinical data of patients, as well as serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and glucose were extracted and evaluated.

A total of 300 children were enrolled according to the 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 patients were in the normal range. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference between serum levels in the two groups of simple and complex seizures. Based on the regression analysis, the history of febrile seizures could predict the occurrence of complex seizures (OR=4.5, P=0.00, 95%CI: 2.06-10.11)

Serum levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, glucose, and magnesium did not affect the incidence of seizures in the patients. On the other hand, due to the high risk of complex seizures in patients with a history of febrile seizures, the necessary measures can be taken to manage the disease.