Plasma magnesium and calcium levels in children with epilepsy in lagos.
BACKGROUND
Magnesium and calcium have been found to have increasing roles in the patho-physiology of epilepsy. Hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia cause hyper-exitability of neurons and have been associated strongly with seizures in adults and children.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if hypomagnesaemia or hypocalcaemia is present in Nigerian children with epilepsy and to determine the relationship between serum magnesium and calcium levels and frequency and control of epilepsy.


METHODS
A prospective case control study at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.


METHODS
45 children with epilepsy and 45 controls were recruited from the paediatric neurology unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Serum magnesium and calcium were measured by spectrophotometric methods.


RESULTS
Serum magnesium and calcium was significantly lower in the patients compared to the controls; Magnesium - 0.98 (0.0005) Vs 1.2 (0.04) mmol/L, p< 0.0001 and Calcium - 2.29 (0.04) Vs 2.3 (0.02) mmol/L, p<0.05 respectively. No significant differences were noted in the plasma phosphorus and albumin concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnesium and calcium levels are lower in the epileptic children compared to the controls during the seizure-free periods. More studies are needed to evaluate these electrolytes during seizures and the effect of the different anticonvulsant drugs on these electrolytes.
Oladipo
O O
OO
Department of Clinical Pathology,College of Medicine, University of Lagos/ Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Lesi
F E A
FE
Ezeaka
V C
VC
D002118:Calcium; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies
D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium