Absence of serum chemistry abnormalities in pediatric patients presenting with seizures.
To determine the utility of the routine practice of obtaining serum chemistry values on children presenting after a seizure, we reviewed the emergency department records of 241 episodes of seizures in pediatric patients. One hundred fifty-five nonfebrile (49 initial, 106 recurrent) and 86 febrile (53 initial, 33 recurrent) convulsive episodes were analyzed. At least one serum chemistry value was obtained in 149 (64%) patients. Clinically significant abnormalities were found in 0/149 serum sodium, 0/148 glucose and blood urea nitrogen, 0/86 calcium, and 0/61 magnesium studies. We concluded that routine determination of serum chemistry values in pediatric patients presenting with a seizure is unnecessary unless specific clinical data strongly suggest otherwise.
Kenney
R D
RD
Department of Pediatrics, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte.
Taylor
J A
JA
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008499:Medical Records; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium