title: [Neuroimmunologic parameters in therapy refractory epilepsy in children].
abstract: In a prospective study comprising 48 children (21 boys, 27 girls, age 12 months to 15 years) the hypothesis was tested whether an alteration in the light chain immunoglobulins kappa (kappa) and lambda (lambda) is an expression of autoimmune mechanisms and could be used as a diagnostic parameter. Immunoglobulins were analysed by kinetic nephelometry. The patients were grouped according to clinical and laboratory parameters. A high kappa/lambda ratio caused by high concentration of the kappa chain was found in children with therapy-resistant epilepsy. 60% showed a high kappa/lambda ratio, no distinct association was ascertainable in 26% cases and in 14% of the cases false positive results were obtained. In seizure-free children immunological markers were specific in 72% of cases, whilst 24% could not be characterized and 4% showed false positive results. The kappa/lambda ratio, therefore, is a good diagnostic aid in the treatment of therapy-resistant epilepsies.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Wien.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lischka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Herkner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pollak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000032:analysis*; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains
vernacular_title: Neuroimmunologische Parameter bei therapieresistenter Epilepsie im Kindesalter.