title: Serum prolactin and cortisol in children with some paroxysmal disorders.
abstract: Postictal serum prolactin and cortisol levels were estimated in 73 children having either epilepsy, febrile seizures, breath-holding spells, or fever without other manifestation and in 20 normal controls. Mean serum prolactin levels (28.6 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the epileptic group than in the group with febrile seizures (12.7 +/- 2.8 ng/ml), non-specific febrile illness (12.2 +/- 2.4 ng/ml), breath-holding spells (8.8 +/- 1.1 ng/ml) and normal controls (9.8 +/- 2.6 ng/ml). Mean serum cortisol levels were non-specifically elevated in children with epilepsy (32.8 +/- 2.2 ug/dl), febrile convulsion (34.2 +/- 4.1 ug/dl) and non-specific febril illness (30.6 +/- 2.4 ug/dl). Our observations suggest that elevated prolactin levels associated with afebrile epileptic seizures may help in differentiating epilepsy from febrile seizures and breath-holding spells. Cortisol levels appear to be non-specifically elevated in all stressful conditions.
authors.affiliation: Upgraded Department of Pediatrics, Patna Medical College.
authors.forename: U K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: U K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Jana
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012640:Seizures / Q000097:blood*; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone