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Plasma magnesium and calcium levels in children with epilepsy in lagos

O O Oladipo1, F E A Lesi, V C Ezeaka

  • 1Department of Clinical Pathology,College of Medicine, University of Lagos/ Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos.

The Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal
|March 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Nigerian children with epilepsy show lower serum magnesium and calcium levels compared to healthy children. These electrolyte imbalances may play a role in childhood epilepsy, warranting further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Electrolyte imbalances, specifically hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia, are implicated in neuronal hyperexcitability and seizures.
  • These conditions have been linked to epilepsy in both adult and pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia in Nigerian children diagnosed with epilepsy.
  • To explore the correlation between serum magnesium and calcium levels and the frequency and control of epilepsy in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective case-control study was conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
  • Forty-five children with epilepsy and 45 age-matched controls were enrolled.
  • Serum magnesium and calcium levels were quantified using spectrophotometric methods.

Main Results:

  • Epileptic children exhibited significantly lower serum magnesium (0.98 vs. 1.2 mmol/L, p<0.0001) and calcium (2.29 vs. 2.3 mmol/L, p<0.05) compared to controls.
  • No significant differences were observed in plasma phosphorus or albumin concentrations between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Serum magnesium and calcium levels are reduced in Nigerian children with epilepsy during seizure-free intervals.
  • Further research is recommended to examine electrolyte levels during active seizures and assess the impact of anticonvulsant medications.
Abstract

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